# reading from file
# format: LEAD=fred FRIEND=barney
while ( <> ) {
    $rec = {};
    for $field ( split ) {
        ($key, $value) = split /=/, $field;
        $rec->{$key} = $value;
    }
    push @LoH, $rec;
}

# reading from file
# format: LEAD=fred FRIEND=barney
# no temp
while ( <> ) {
    push @LoH, { split /[\s+=]/ };
}

# calling a function  that returns a key,value array, like
# "lead","fred","daughter","pebbles"
while ( %fields = getnextpairset() ) {
    push @LoH, { %fields };
}

# likewise, but using no temp vars
while (<>) {
    push @LoH, { parsepairs($_) };
}

# add key/value to an element
$LoH[0]{pet} = "dino";
$LoH[2]{pet} = "santa's little helper";