At the ISP where I work, we use Perl for practically everything, except the most performance-critical stuff. Things like the billing system, business database and automated ordering system are practically completely built with Perl. Of course, it's also used for building system administration tools.

I find it funny for a C++ fan to worry about code complexity and maintenance when Perl is used. Perl is often castigated for having a lot of quirks and dusty corners. I'm not an experienced C++ programmer, but I do have the "C++ Programming Language, Special Edition" hardcover tome, and it seems to me that C++ gives you at least as much oppurtunity to screw things up royally as Perl does. But that's just my opinion ;-)

Arjen