If you want your data easily broken out so you don't have to call param, the easiest way is probably just to use the import_names call:

       IMPORTING ALL PARAMETERS INTO A NAMESPACE:

          $query->import_names('R');

       This creates a series of variables in the 'R' namespace.
       For example, $R::foo, @R:foo.  For keyword lists, a vari-
       able @R::keywords will appear.  If no namespace is given,
       this method will assume 'Q'.  WARNING:  don't import any-
       thing into 'main'; this is a major security risk!!!!
[download]

Then you still get both the single item $R::foo and the occasional list item @R::bar. And no code to cargo-cult-schlep around.

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker