As usual I fail to see why php should be easier than perl (ok, I'll admit that ruby IS). and C in definiely more popular than basic*. I think the issue with perl is that it lets ugly code go. think of python, feels like a jail, but no matter what kind of mess you make, pithon stays clean (so long as it compiles :P) I think what perl really need is a set of modules that go beyond the old  use Strict, something that forces you to choose a subdialect (maybe custom, maybe conventional) and follow it, although there are other ways to write the code. this way you could choose between total freedom and a language of your choice, this is something strict languages cant even try doing, as they are already strict. For instance you may remove all object oriented constructs if you wish etc... and of course limit the use of such module to your code, avoiding clashes with modules or other's code.