I am guessing you are _not_ an expert programmer. I have nothing against reinventing the wheel, if you know what are you doing. My guess is this is not your case. So, my advice will be to use some standard module.

For database based on flat files, you may want to check DBD::CSV and DBD::File. They implement all features you are aware now, and then some more. Available on CPAN mirror near you, or on search.cpan.org.

And remember, hardly anybody will ever want to use your database, if it is not compliant with DBI standard.

It is good for you having ambition, but IMO less ambitious project will better serve your goal to learn perl. If I have time to spare, I'll go for i.e. Daft text adventure project, which is BTW also using (existing free) database.

Hubris might be a virtue for a perl programmer - but not always. There are situations, where perl monks is better served by being humble and learn from experts. It's your call to decide what is better for you. Just my $0.02.

pmas

To make errors is human. But to make million errors per second, you need a computer.