I quite like Data::Dumper::Simple, and generally use it in preference to Data::Dumper. It's much easier to use, and the output is more readable (especially with more complex data structures).

For example, using your sample above:

use Data::Dumper;
my %hash = (
        this => "one",
        that => "two",
    );
print Dumper(\%hash);
[download]

prints..

$VAR1 = {
          'that' => 'two',
          'this' => 'one'
        };
[download]

But using Data::Dumper::Simple...

use Data::Dumper::Simple;
my %hash = (
        this => "one",
        that => "two",
    );
print Dumper(%hash);
[download]

prints...

%hash = (
          'that' => 'two',
          'this' => 'one'
        );
[download]

Notice two things:

• There is no need to pass a reference to the hash to Dumper.
• The output includes the variable (hash) name, which makes it easier to read.

One thing you should be aware of is that Data::Dumper::Simple uses source filtering techniques (which is probably why many people refuse to use it). Personally, this doesn't bother me as I only ever use it for debugging.

Cheers,
Darren :)