Uh huh.   Well, “love ’em or hate ’em,” ... and plan to use Internet Explorer for everything ... but Microsoft really does have a good grasp of the corporate-computing environment, and they do sell well-rounded tools.   Some of the goodies might be “optional installs,” but a surprising amount of functionality actually is there.   I, too, much prefer Unix/Linux environments, yet I must grudgingly admit that Redmond does know how to write (and, heh, li¢en$e...) software.

Whereas Unix/Linux prides itself upon being “generic,” the Microsoft® [Windows®, and a great deal more ...] environment takes a playbook directly from IBM:   it is completely proprietary and tightly integrated.   Yet, it is also complete.   Definitely be on the lookout for “reinventing the wheel” if most of your experience is with Lx/Ux.   It’s a culture shock.

Perl runs equally well in both environments, yet (IMHO ...) its role is somewhat different.