Construct table from multiple values with named keys

[Kevin Martin <kev82@...>]

Given a function that returns multiple values, is there a way to construct a table, but where each value is assigned a name rather than an index

The effect I'm looking for is

> local date = {}
> date.day, date.month, date.year = startdate:match("(%d%d)/(%d%d)/(%d%d%d%d)")
> print(os.time(date))

But without declaring the local date.

Obviously

> print(os.time({startdate:match("(%d%d)/(%d%d)/(%d%d%d%d)")}))

doesn't work because the values are assign to indices 1, 2, and 3

Nor does

> print(os.time({day, month, year = startdate:match("(%d%d)/(%d%d)/(%d%d%d%d)")}))


because it interprets day and month as values rather than keys.

Thanks,
Kev