# Differences: Perl, mod\_perl, and Apache
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 21, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937 "2000-03-21T19:05:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2000, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/1 "2000-03-22T06:01:00Z")
Can anyone tell me what the differences between these three are?
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### Author:  [@Cowboy\_Greg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy_Greg)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2000, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/2 "2000-03-22T06:26:00Z")
Apache is open-source web server software – it’s responsible for piping the files comprising a web site into your browser, in a form your browser understands.
Perl is a scripting language, much used to run CGI scripts, as it’s very well suited to manipulating text (which is all a web page really is, when you boil it down to the essentials). It originally became popular on Unix platforms, but it’s been ported to damn near everything these days.
mod\_perl is a module for Apache that allows it to run Perl natively – you can use Perl to write additional modules to extend Apache to make it do exactly what you want. In addition, if you’re using Perl for your CGI scripts, it enables you to eliminate the overhead of spawning a Perl interpreter every time J. Random User accesses your CGI script.
More info on these things can be found at [Apache’s official site](http://www.apache.org) and [Perl’s site](http://www.perl.org). If you’re interested in more background, check out [The Web Developer’s Virtual Library](http://stars.com/Authoring).
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A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.
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### Author:  [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2000, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/3 "2000-03-22T06:37:00Z")
Thanks. I’ve been working with perl for a while, but I’m going to be working on a website now, which is why the mod\_perl and Apache stuff came up.
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### Author:  [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/4 "2000-03-21T19:05:00Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Originally posted by KarmaComa:
> **Thanks. I’ve been working with perl for a while, but I’m going to be working on a website now, which is why the mod\_perl and Apache stuff came up.**
## This is slightly off-topic, but you may want to look into PHP. It started life as a PERL package for enhancing web pages, but has evolved into a full-fledged programming language specifically designed for CGI-type use. I’m a big fan of PERL, but PHP may be better suited to your needs. And it’s easy to learn.
## There are no dangerous weapons, Only dangerous men.
Joe Cool
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### Author:  [@Crystalguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crystalguy)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/5 "2000-03-21T19:07:00Z")
Too bad you had to get the info from an American, now isn’t it?
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### Author:  [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/6 "2000-03-21T19:29:00Z")
Oh, I don’t know… do you think Cowboy Greg is really such and American-sounding name?
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### Author:  [@Crystalguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crystalguy)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/7 "2000-03-21T19:59:00Z")
My mistake, he obviously lives in Samoa. In fact, if I hadn’t been in a really rotten mood, I wouldn’t have dumped on you. Please accept my apology. My post was uncalled for.
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Crystalguy
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### Author:  [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/8 "2000-03-21T20:01:00Z")
Don’t worry about it… that American post was dirty and intentionally inciteful.
Har har har.
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### Author:  [@Crystalguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crystalguy)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2000, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-perl-mod_perl-and-apache/8937/9 "2000-03-21T20:52:00Z")
Damn Canadians----------
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Crystalguy