Be careful. Saying ['data2 data2 data2 data2 data2'] means that the value is an array reference with a single element, 'data2 data2 data2 data2 data2', which is a string. It's not the same as ['data2', 'data2', 'data2', 'data2', 'data2'] which is an array reference consist of some elements that are all strings. If what you want is the latter, then toolic has given the answer.

However, if what you want is the former then you can join back @description separated by, for example, spaces. This also replaces tabs with single spaces. From toolic's code: 

my ($id, @description) = split;
$hash{$id} = [join ' ', @description];

[download]

Open source softwares? Share and enjoy. Make profit from them if you can. Yet, share and enjoy!

In reply to Re^3: Hash from a file by naikonta
in thread Hash from a file by Anonymous Monk

Title:
Use:  <p> text here (a paragraph) </p>
and:  <code> code here </code>
to format your post, it's "PerlMonks-approved HTML":


  • Posts are HTML formatted. Put <p> </p> tags around your paragraphs. Put <code> </code> tags around your code and data!
  • Titles consisting of a single word are discouraged, and in most cases are disallowed outright.
  • Read Where should I post X? if you're not absolutely sure you're posting in the right place.
  • Please read these before you post! —
  • Posts may use any of the Perl Monks Approved HTML tags:
    a, abbr, b, big, blockquote, br, caption, center, col, colgroup, dd, del, details, div, dl, dt, em, font, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, hr, i, ins, li, ol, p, pre, readmore, small, span, spoiler, strike, strong, sub, summary, sup, table, tbody, td, tfoot, th, thead, tr, tt, u, ul, wbr
  • You may need to use entities for some characters, as follows. (Exception: Within code tags, you can put the characters literally.)
            For:     Use:
    & &amp;
    < &lt;
    > &gt;
    [ &#91;
    ] &#93;
  • Link using PerlMonks shortcuts! What shortcuts can I use for linking?
  • See Writeup Formatting Tips and other pages linked from there for more info.