The format of the file you described looks like CSV, but with pipes instead of commas. DBD::CSV provides access to such data in DBI style. Rewriting code to use it could be a good first step before moving to a heavy-weight DBMS.
     s;;Just-me-not-h-Ni-m-P-Ni-lm-I-ar-O-Ni;;tr?IerONim-?HAcker ?d;print

In reply to Re: Moving from hashing to tie-ing. by Ieronim
in thread Moving from hashing to tie-ing. by eff_i_g

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