That's perfectly valid syntax (although more paranoid code would check with UNIVERSAL::can before calling arbitrary methods). 

freebie:~ 973> cat fooble                                             
+ 19:55:47
my $columnname = 'id';
print $rowobj->$columnname;
freebie:~ 974> perl -wc fooble                                        
+ 19:55:48
Name "main::rowobj" used only once: possible typo at fooble line 2.
fooble syntax OK

[download]

Your problem's elsewhere.

In reply to Re: Syntax question when using Class::DBI by Fletch
in thread Syntax question when using Class::DBI by freddo411

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