It was not the answer to what was asked.

Yes it was (the code proves it).

Was it helpful or necessary to call my question NO-GO?I use perl in scientific/engineering work, so I am sorry if I am not properly describing CSV.

Yes. CSV is a known format and there are standard tools for dealing with it.

Much like dealing with XML-ish data, using standard XML tools is a no-go situation. They will insist on doing their job (like abort because of XML syntax errors) and not DWIM.

Heck, the following will work for the original question, but it won't for CSV (or the real (and undefspecified) problem) 

$ perl -le"print for split /,/, q!sue,fred,x(mary,jane)!, 3"
sue
fred
x(mary,jane)

[download]

In reply to Re^7: csv with parens that include commas by Anonymous Monk
in thread csv'ish string with parens that include commas by ascetic

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