Very quick and simple solution: 
$hash{a}{b}{c}{d}{e} = 'E';

print getthingy(\%hash, 'a.b.c.d.e');

sub getthingy {
        my($hash, $key) = @_;
        $hash = $hash->{$_} foreach(split/\./, $key);
        $hash;
}

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In reply to Re: quick question about hash element access by DrHyde
in thread quick question about hash element access by glwtta

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