In situations such as this one, I definitely favor using a list, instead of discrete variables such as $1.

Also, in these situations, I recognize the existence of “a problem that has already been solved by someone else,” and I start trolling through CPAN to find a wedge. I'll study not only the code, but also the approach that is suggested by its authors. I do not want to do any “thing that has already been done.” Hair follicles are a precious thing.