Comparing Perl and PHP is a bit of an old standard post that continues to annoy many because it doesn't seem to want to die.

As a rule I avoid these types of discussions but inexplicably I feel some compulsion to comment - if only to get the noise from my head even if it feeds what seems like a trolling post. The question seems framed to engage flame - it assumes that PHP is generally agreed as better by most people and that there is some unknown reason for this that we must explore (for some unknown reason). It also suggests that you have some insight into some deficiency of Perl that you feel should be rectified .. until you read your comment.

The way I hear the argument it sounds ridiculous. It's like trying to suggest that the shell interface is on the way out because everyone uses a GUI and that there is some hidden reason for this that requires action to win-back the hearts and minds of the errant GUI users.

Here's my own personal thoughts:

• PHP and Perl are not competitors for Web Development though both can play here and PHP lives more exclusively here
• PHP is broadly used for Web Sites and has a great adoption - Perl Community doesn't need to convince them they are inferior
• Perhaps PHP community would be more likely to look at JavaScript adoption and how this relates to their future - why do we care about PHP after so long - many know PHP well and JS well - just another tool
• Perl IMHO is much broader in scope than PHP and other more specific use focussed languages. Comparing popularity or focal points of other languages is not something you can then abstract out to X is better than Y. Once specific use-case selection similarly means little and it seems that is primarily intended to see how angsty ppl respond rather than looking for real advice.
• If everyone stopped using Perl for Web Pages, Perl community would go on just fine
• If you want to use what's most popular by some definition for some reason then do that - if you want to stick with a powerful language that is consistently at the leading edge then Perl will continue to serve you well for a very long time
• The language a professor uses in his class is not an argument against all other languages
• It is not the role of Perl to market itself as 'better' or defend against people who choose not to use it
• Perlmonks doesn't seem like the place that should be asked to explain why anyone (or 'most' ppl) doesn't use Perl
• Even when working full-time in other languages / frameworks I'll often bounce back to Perl to cut through the noise of find out how some 'shiny new tech' actually works at an implementation level - I don't think any other community offers the same depth

OK - thanks - I think I've vented and fed the trolls enough to put this out of me head - now back to Perl.

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