Thank you for your advice for how to replicate your code. As you might have noticed, I already modified your program in my reply to actually include a data portion in the __DATA__ section. I still don't see how your program would work, but if it works for you, then just use what works for you.

You might want to re-read Yes, even you can use CPAN, as it shows how to keep a private installation of modules, which will not break if other components of the system get upgraded. Or you could pursue the approach of copying the code from Tie::File into your program. But you seem to have far more experience in that area than I do, so I will leave the best approach to your judgement.