Which is better to go with first, perl or php?

Perl or PHP, which one would you recommend is better to learn first for all kinds of functionality? I am leaning towards doing PHP first because I have been modifying PHP scripts on a portal I set up, so it would be natural for me to start with that. But I want to learn something with a good amount of functionality, so I am wondering whether to start with perl or php, and would appreciate your recommendations.

I am not a total newbie to programming but have not tried to learn script languages before. Also, once I learn one is it easy to pick the other one up?

thanks

 

For web sites/development I'd say go with PHP.

For parsing documents and the like, though, nothing beats perl.

 

.Net

 

for web -> php
perl for systeme admins is very powerfull

 

You should go PHP. There is really no reason to go Perl. Since PHP already was adopted from Perl.

 

php is really moving very fast and gaining momentum... so if you only have time for one, go with php...

 

thanks all for your responses. php is sounding more and more like the way to go.

 

php and start with a framework.

 

Php is the best, very easy to learn

 

php

start by downloading some sample scripts and then hacking/editing them to figure out how things work. it's the quickest way to learn a new language.

 

What do you mean "start with a framework"?

That's what got me interested in PHP. I've been setting up forums and portals and such, and many times I have to edit the php files to add my own logos and change fonts and things like that, so I found it very powerful. I actually helped someone here change a logo on a forum by changing some php files and made a few bucks in the process . Anyway, I also do a lot of data and text retrieval and manipulations that could be automated if I could write scripts. I've been told Perl is very good for that, so I was confused which one to start with. But I am thinking php is where I'll start.

 

ofcourse php

 

I don't see any reasons to learn Perl for web development. But I would suggest looking a .net platform too.

 

I'd go with PHP first. Many more resources available to help you along the way as you learn. I use it in large enterprise environments so I can vouch for it being a language you can use for large as well as small projects. My .02 cents.

 

PHP is good and completely OK for web but if you need more Perl is much better.

Also, using frameworks is good idea. Check CodeIgniter...

 

perl is obsolete but it can be useful at some point.
if you want to learn how to make web applications go with php, good luck !