XML::Simple - Limitations

Scarborough has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I have 500+ XML files to extract data from and am new to XML, so I was over the moon to find the excellent explanation of XML::Simple on CPAN. I've got the data into a hash ref and set to work on extracting the indevidual values only to find that the writers of the XML used '-' in the tags, resulting in PERL treating them as minus symbols. I think?

$xml_ref->{identifier}->{formal-parameter} #? formal 'minus' parameter.

Does anyone know a way round this or do I need more then XML::Simple

Thanks are due also to http://www.w3schools.com/xml/xml_elements.asp for it's excellent intro to XML.

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Re: XML::Simple - Limitations by itub (Priest) on May 20, 2004 at 14:23 UTC
Have you tried quoting the names? `$xml_ref->{'identifier'}->{'formal-parameter'}` The autoquoting of hash keys only works for things that look like simple words (letters, numbers, underscores...).	[reply] [d/l]
Re: Re: XML::Simple - Limitations by Scarborough (Hermit) on May 20, 2004 at 14:54 UTC
Thanks to all of you I had tried this earlier but had made a second error and in my ignorance blamed the XML and XML::Simple, when it was really, plain old simple me. I'm pleased to report the data is flowing like a stream now. Thanks again with the help of the monks and the fine folks at www.3c.org, I've achived a lot, in a very short time today. We are so lucky to have a community which is happy to share its knowledge.	[reply]
Re: XML::Simple - Limitations by mifflin (Curate) on May 20, 2004 at 14:26 UTC
quote your hash keys... `$xml_ref->{identifier}->{'formal-parameter'}` [download] in this condition.	[reply] [d/l]
Re: XML::Simple - Limitations by mirod (Canon) on May 20, 2004 at 14:24 UTC
`$xml_ref->{identifier}->{'formal-parameter'} # OK`	[reply] [d/l]