I think Data::aliases is exactly what I was looking for. I didn't know it existed (guess I should have thought to look under aliases!)...

This comment in the Data::Aliases description fits my situation perfectly:

You can use this to improve efficiency and readability, when compared to using references.
Thanks!

In reply to Re^4: possible to assign symbolic references? by perl-diddler
in thread possible to assign symbolic references? by perl-diddler

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