I'm currently working to refactor a script that has a reliance on three hashes (simple hashes), initialized at the beginning of the script. In total, these hash values take up over a hundred lines in the script. In order to improve overall readability and cleanliness of the code, should I store this information outside of the script and read in the information at the start? The data itself should be mostly static (individual entries may have to be changed on occasion).
If yes, how would I go about storing it in a database/suggested storage medium? (I'm a noob when it comes to SQL).
Sounds like you have configuration data. The Mastering Perl book has a chapter discussing several choices.