Questions about Perl

[Rockonmetal]

I recently had an arguement with a friend about whether the site facebook uses Perl or Java... Anyway, I had heard of Perl and thought it was a built in addon to php or something like that I didn't have to worry about. I looked online but it seems as if theres just the code sitting there with no demonstrations. I have some questions about Perl...
1. If I know php, html, css, some javascript, and action script. Is this enough to help me understand Perl?
2. I know Perl can make line graphs and 3d graphs and edit images. Is there anything else it can do?
3. How easy is Perl to learn and or pick up? Or is it like anyother scripts?
4. Since w3schools doesn't carry Perl, where else should I look?
5. Do i need special programs to help Perl? If so, where can I find them?

Thanks I appreciate all the help!

[thetestingsite]

1. If I know php, html, css, some javascript, and action script. Is this enough to help me understand Perl?


PHP started as a debug of the perl scripting language and many of the functions found in php can be found in perl, so the answer is yes; it should be enough to help you understand it.



2. I know Perl can make line graphs and 3d graphs and edit images. Is there anything else it can do?


It can do a lot more than PHP can do as far as server interaction (file system and software interaction [especially on linux servers]).



3. How easy is Perl to learn and or pick up? Or is it like anyother scripts?


Again, answered in #1. It's fairly easy to pick up and understand. It's been a while since I personally worked with it, but still pretty easy to use nonetheless.



4. Since w3schools doesn't carry Perl, where else should I look?
5. Do i need special programs to help Perl? If so, where can I find them?


Not too sure about these two. If you are running Windows and want to try some perl scripts out, you will need to download ActivePerl (can't remember the site address, but google is your friend). As for places to look to learn, not sure.

Hope this helps.

[Rockonmetal]

file system and software interaction
I'm a bit unfamiliar with those two terms... I know file system has to do with the properties, location, and other junk of files in a specific folder or "system"... I haven't done any software interaction (if i have, I wouldn't guess it...) what software interaction are you talking about? If you could give an example that would be great...

I appreciate the help! Thanks!