Perl is an interpreted high-level programming language. It has become a premier scripting language of the Web, as most CGI programs are written in Perl. However, Perl is widely used as a rapid prototyping language and a "glue" language that makes it possible for different systems to work well together. It is popular with system administrators who use it for an infinite number of automation tasks. Its roots are in UNIX but you will find it on a wide range of computing platforms. Because it is an interpreted language, it programs are highly portable across systems. Finally, it is more than a programming language. It is a part of the Internet culture. It is a very creative way of thinking about almost anything.