User scalability A rank beginner can start in with perl with something like

#!/usr/bin/perl
@files = `ls`;
for (@files) {
  `cp $_ backupdir`;
}
# yes, OK, hideous example, beyond hideous
# do you recall one of your early Perl efforts that was 
# just a bunch of system calls?
[download]

using backtick or system calls to do with shell what is still a mystery in Perl. As Perl is learned the syscalls disappear.

Quickies Whether it's a command line one off or a "tpl" test case creating a small test to check your concept is just brain dead simple.

Language Scalability Perl is appropriate for a wide range of projects. It's difficult to run into a limitation in Perl that will force you to learn another language to get the problem solved. Thus you'll spend more time improving your core language skill.

CPAN Wheels pre-invented in almost every imaginable size.

TIMTOWTDI Personal neural nets differ. Perl allows one to create a code construct that closely matches the mental contruct. This is part of what makes the user scalability possible.

Well, at least that's what works for me.