>  perldoc File::Spec
>  
>  look for `splitpath' and `splitdir'

I highly recommend the method above (which Randy proposed) over using
homegrown methods.  The File::Spec option helps in cross-platform
compatibility (and allows use of "/" in addition to "\\") as well as making
sure you don't screw things up, which I seem to be particularly likely to
do, most of the time.

"If I have coded better, it is only by "use"-ing the modules of Giants"
-- with apologies to Isaac Newton

jpt