Having to call up the heavy duty C code highlights the point of my question. The perl code is not quick or 'strong' enough to cope with the heavy duty tasks. WHY?

Im not sure if im jumping out on a limb, but, with Java, it easy to write the code, test, re-write, re-test, and release. The one disadvantage is that after re-writing it has to be compiled again, BUT, its quicker in the long run if a big application was running.

Feel free to spank me on this but, doesn't perl only cope with some much smaller tasks, i.e. something that does not demand a high level amount of processing. If this is so, WHY?

MonkPaul

Perl is used for some very large heavy applications just fine. For example, have you ever bought a book at http://www.amazon.com? Or a ticket through http://www.ticketmaster.com? Or checked on a movie with The Internet Movie Database? Those are all pure Perl, from the mod_perl front to the database interface in the back.

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

From what I've heard, Amazon is not pure Perl. While they use a lot of Perl, they use a lot of other stuff as well (eg Java).

I've also heard that Ticketmaster is currently planning to move from Perl to an optimized C architecture. (We'll see if that actually happens though..)

I have heard no recent rumors from IMDB, so I don't know their status.

Good stuff,

BUT, is perl used for such tasks as instrument interaction (lab equipment, or printer control), or some stand-alone package like a word processor or photo editor.

I understand the above reply, but to me it seems as if they are web applications. Does this wide use still apply to desktop applications?

My other question would be, why progress in creating a language has not turned to utilising the best from all other languages, like SQL database queries, C++ and Java object orientation, Perl text and mudule interaction etc. etc.

Im still interested in other peolpes view so keep them coming.