the code is currently working and i've used data::dumper to confirm my data structure. $array is used later in code not shown as it is not relevant to the question. it sounds like you don't have an alternative to hardcoding the dimensions, either! that's good to know, maybe my solution is the only way....

Well, for one thing it's important to always remind that true multidimensional arrays do not exist (yet). Re dimensions, it's not strictly true that you have to hardcode them. Indeed D::D and similar modules themselves are the proof that it is possible not to. You have to navigate through the structure. Either recursively or possibly iteratively, as a recent and extremely interesting post shows. (But the technique shown there has to do with cloning and thus may be more complex than you actually need.) It all really depends on what you really want to do.

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