Data::Dumper - stringified perl data structures, suitable for both printing and eval.   Written by Gurusamy Sarathy.

tilly pointed me to this Fine Module a while back.   It's served me faithfully since then, as an excellent debugging tool when my perl isn't perling.   Data::Dumper is included in standard Perl distributions, so there are no excuses for *not* using it {grin}

geektron reviewed Data::Dumper right here.

Other modules I frequent:

• Pod::Usage   eliminate redundant &Usage()
• Getopt::Long   works with above to support --help, --man arguments
• Tie::IxHash   insertion-order retrieval of hash elements
• File::Temp   secure temp files
• Net::Telnet
• Net::Telnet::Cisco   automate management of Cisco routers+switches
• Net::SNMP   automate queries against network devices
• Spreadsheet::WriteExcel   output reports from above net tools in format that management likes

Update: For fresh perlers not familiar with installation and use of modules^*, perusing the old sub-thread starting at "My Favorite Module: CPAN" might be beneficial.   But remember to upgrade CPAN.pm manually *before* actually using it to install other modules.   Nevermind that I'm a Luddite, preferring to install all my modules manually.   Heh.

Update 2: davorg provides excellent instructions for getting your feet wet with Perl modules at "Re: difficulty using CPAN.pm".

    cheers,
    Don
    striving toward Perl Adept
    (it's pronounced "why-bick")

^{* Old-timers here at the Monastery will recall when this was me {grin}}