Use the third -1 argument to split as documented in "perldoc -f split".

Very well noted!! Just so that lazy people know what we are talking about, here's what perldoc has to say about the third argument of split (aka LIMIT)

If LIMIT is specified and positive, splits into no more than that many fields (though it may split into fewer). If LIMIT is unspecified or zero, trailing null fields are stripped (which potential users of pop would do well to remember). If LIMIT is negative, it is treated as if an arbitrarily large LIMIT had been specified.

Switch the order in the hash. You said elsewhere you think about it one way. My experience says that that decision will come back to bite you. (...)

Now I understand what brtrott was saying. I am looking at the table from a user's perspective as opposed to a programer's perpective. I can see this is good advice now, and not just a matter of preference!

The idea behind this code will never support the full CSV spec or anything close to it. Document that limitation.

Humm.. You probably didn't read the description of Open Flat File. I haven't used CSVs for quite some time now. I just pulled this one up as an example for peer-teaching. No formal documentation required, since it will be tossed into a tar pit as soon as the brain-storm is over. :)

Nevertheless, all of your recommendations make perfect sense. Thanks a bunch for the contribution.

#!/home/bbq/bin/perl
# Trust no1!

In reply to (bbq) RE: A few style suggestions by BBQ
in thread Another flatfile thingy by BBQ

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