package MyConfig; sub new { my $proto = shift; my $class = ref($proto) || $proto; my $config = { "Servers to poll" => { # host login password "theophyline" => { "admin" => "secret" }, "caffeine" => { "admin" => "buzzword" }, "theobromine" => { "admin" => "mystery" }, }, "times to poll" => { "3:00 AM", "4:21 PM", }, }; bless($config, $class); return $config; } "the end"; #### use MyConfig; my $externalConfig = MyConfig->new(); foreach my $server (keys %{$externalConfig->{'Servers to poll'}}) { my ($login, $password) = each %{$externalConfig->{'Servers to poll'}->{$server}}; # etc.... }