There are lots of fine XML modules out there to choose from, and as you point out it's hard to know where to start....

Finding an XML module to do foo is a common question, but as XML is three letters and has thus been excluded from super search it's a question that get's asked rather a lot. On the up side there are lots of good answers!

Have a look at the following threads and links:

• Which XML module to use?
• XML parser
• XML and Perl
• Why is Perl so bad with XML?
• XM-Hell
• XML Module decision tree?
• Mirod's Ways to Rome
• Kip's Column on XML.com
• Antoine Quint's Column on XML.com
• Using XML Modules in Perl
• http://www.perlxml.net/ Perl-XML FAQ

My favourites are the GNOME based XML::LibXML and XML::LibXSLT, as I work with XML files from other programs, and output HTML via XSL-T. This combination has some useful features: c based and so very quick; powerful/flexible API; XML validation option; excellent XSL-T abilities to mention but a few. However this may be overkill for your application.

Updates: Extra links added, and dead link removed.