Is it necessary to learn Perl?

I hope this is the correct place to post this:
I am developing a web site for a e-commerce business I will be
running. The site I'm setting up will be 50% store, 50% content. I'm
not sure which shopping cart I'll be using yet (am looking at
os-commerce and miva) but the other part will be content. I will be
writing reviews of products, articles on the industry, and someday may
have some blogging and forums and advertising.
As for perl, years ago I looked at writing web pages. I never did it
but remember back thing perl was the big thing. it was used for CGi
scripts. is it still used a lot? I seem to read about PHP a lot now.
Has that replaced Perl and are CGI Scripts still used?

Re: Is it necessary to learn Perl?

I have to add that I am not much into programming and I want a good
web site but most of all what is important to me is ease of use and a
easy to update web page. I will be using Macromeda Studio 8 to
develop it (dreamweaver and flash)

Re: Is it necessary to learn Perl?

MarkW wrote:
> I am developing a web site for a e-commerce business
> ...
> but remember back thing perl was the big thing. it was used for CGi
> scripts. is it still used a lot? I seem to read about PHP a lot now.
> Has that replaced Perl and are CGI Scripts still used?

1. If you are doing commerce, you want to purchase a complete
web business package that you can run "off the shelf".
Since you asked, you should not be doing any programming
yourself; just pay someone to do it right.

2. Yes, perl is still being used in many CGI scripts.
You could learn perl for fun and personal edification.
http://learn.perl.org

Re: Is it necessary to learn Perl?

Thanks for the advice and it makes sense to spend my time running the
business and not programming. I may learn it with time though. For
now I will start researching off the shelf business solutions. If
anyone knows of any good ones I'd appreciate advice.

Re: Is it necessary to learn Perl?

Thanks for the advice and it is probably better for me to leave the
programming to someone else and spend the time running the business.
With time I may learn programming perl but for now won't. I will
start researching and finding off the shelf business solutions.

Re: Is it necessary to learn Perl?

In message
MarkW wrote:

> Thanks for the advice and it makes sense to spend my time running the
> business and not programming. I may learn it with time though. For
> now I will start researching off the shelf business solutions. If
> anyone knows of any good ones I'd appreciate advice.

Actinic is not too bad, but rather pricey. However you can get Actinic25 for
free, a full version of the program but limited to 25 items for sale. If you
have a business that only sells one or two (or 25) items, you're suited. If
you want more, you have to buy the complete program.

Ken Down

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