Re^2: HTML::Template : How to separate code and html with lesser maintenance issues

[blazar]

if ($item eq "SELECT") {
    $tmpl  = "select.tmpl";
} elsif ($item eq "CONTINUE") {
    $tmpl  = "continue.tmpl";
} elsif ($item eq "DENIED"){
    $tmpl  = "denied.tmpl";
}

In which case (I know you're adapting the OP's code, but) one would probably use a hash instead, especially if other options were possibly to be added. But of course this is just a complete side note.