my $park = new CarPark( filename => 'blah'); # this will read the file, and (unless the file # is too big or can change in between) save it into # an internal structure suitable for the lookups # you are going to do (probably hash keyed on car model) # so that you have to read it only once. my $car = $park->get("pinto"); print $car->horse_power; $car = $park->get("corvette"); # a new instance print $car->horse_power