Hmmm, so why not let XML::Simple take the strain ?

Because that isn't the question; it can't handle it :)

The use of this module in new code is discouraged. Other modules are available which provide more straightforward and consistent interfaces. In particular, XML::LibXML is highly recommended.

The major problems with this module are the large number of options and the arbitrary ways in which these options interact - often with unexpected results.

use strict;
use warnings;
use XML::Simple;

my $xml = <<XML;
<table>
<Entry No="1">
    <lastname_>Dasd</lastname_>
    <firstname_>Dasd</firstname_>
    <street_>Dasd</street_>
    <houseno_>12</houseno_>
    <zip_>1231</zip_>
    <city_>Dasd</city_>
    <sex_>maennlich</sex_>
    <marital_>geschieden</marital_>
    <character_>Brille
Sommersprossen</character_>
    <description_>asdas
</description_>
  </Entry>
  <Entry No="2">
    <lastname_>Dasd</lastname_>
    <firstname_>Dasd</firstname_>
    <street_>Dasd</street_>
    <houseno_>12</houseno_>
    <zip_>1231</zip_>
    <city_>Dasds</city_>
    <sex_>maennlich</sex_>
    <marital_>geschieden</marital_>
    <character_>Brille
Sommersprossen</character_>
    <description_>asdas
</description_>
  </Entry>
</table>
XML

my $data = XMLin( $xml );
my @info = @{$data->{'Entry'}};
for my $entry (@info){
    print "$entry->{lastname_}, $entry->{firstname_}\n";
}
[download]

...which dies horribly when there is only one <Entry>-element, e.g. the following XML:

<table>
<Entry No="1">
    <lastname_>Dasd</lastname_>
    <firstname_>Dasd</firstname_>
    <street_>Dasd</street_>
    <houseno_>12</houseno_>
    <zip_>1231</zip_>
    <city_>Dasd</city_>
    <sex_>maennlich</sex_>
    <marital_>geschieden</marital_>
    <character_>Brille
Sommersprossen</character_>
    <description_>asdas
</description_>
  </Entry>
</table>
[download]

Which prooves what Anonymous monk said before... ;)

McA

but that xml is the same as the original, there is no strain applied :/