This reply apples to at least two of the above entries, the third I haven't had a chance to address. All of the data is being pulled in from a file of the following structure: 
@array1=(
'entry1',
'entry2',
...
);

@array2=(
'entry1',
'entry2,
...
)

...

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There are a few rules I have to follow here: 1. I can not modify the format of the data file - it is not static, nor do I 'own' it where I can change the way it's generated. 2. The arrays can not be in the script itself . I guess the whole question boils down to this, how can I have the following: 
@combined = ( $opt_f );

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..interpret the following: 
$opt_f = '@array1,@array2'

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As a list of arrays which are then combined, and not simply treat them as regular entries, strings "@array1", "@array2"?

In reply to Re^2: Array of Arrays with Variable Names by JWM
in thread Array of Arrays with Variable Names by JWM

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