my ($k, $date_in, $date_out);

    my %var_list = ('date_in'=>'Start Date', 'date_out'=>'End Date');

    foreach $k (keys(%var_list)) {
        ## $k prints date_out and then date_in
        print( "\$k: \"$k\"\n" );
        ## $var_list prints End Date and then Start Date
        print( "\$var_list{k}: \"$var_list{$k}\"\n" );
        ## Below is where I want to go:
        ## $k = prompt($var_list{k});
        ## and have $date_out = user's entry
        ##
        ## Now how do I assign a beginning $ 
        ## to change date_out to $date_out?
        ## The below does not work
        ## ${$k} = prompt(${$var_list{k}});
        ##
        ## I've tried $$k, $($k), and ${$k}
        ## An example error is the following:
        ## Can't use string ("date_out") as a SCALAR
        ## ref while "strict refs" in use at
        ## ./build_sql_entries line 25
    }