PHP is simple, robust, interfaces beautifully with MySQL, and was designed from its beginnings as a scripting language for Web applications. But it's also slower than Perl, has too many overlapping functions, lacks abstraction, and has many other limitations compared to Perl.
Perl is a more well-developed programming language, can simplify the development of very large sites or complex applications, and is interpreted faster than PHP. Its endless supply of modules can simplify complex programming tasks. But on the other hand, Perl is also more complex, somewhat more difficult to learn, and sometimes can complicate simple tasks that would be a breeze using PHP.
My opinion? Both are excellent and exciting languages. But neither is "better" than the other. It's like comparing a jet airplane to a helicopter: Both are good for their respective purposes, but neither is inherently "better" than the other.
-Richard
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