Putting text data into a associative array

I need to add the following to an array so that I can add,delete and change the data to the right of the last : I am thinking I first have to split this into an array and then split the part I what into another array. Would this be called a associative array? How do I create this type of array from data that is in a text file and then save it back to the text file. I am lost on how to do this. after reading the manual and a couple of books I am even more lost. I just need some help in getting this going once I get it I can expand on it from there. site1:x:503:tester1 site2:x:504:tester2,tester2a site3:x:505:tester3,tester3a,tester3b site4:x:506:tester4 site5:x:507:tester5,tester5a,tester5b site6:x:508:tester6 site7:x:509:tester7,tester7a,tester7b -- Best regards, rdkurth mailto:rdkurth@starband.net