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About PL Files

A .pl file is a text file that contains code written in Perl, a high-level programming language often used for system administration, web development, and text processing. These files are scripts that can be run by a Perl interpreter, which is commonly installed on Unix, Linux, and Windows systems. Developers use .pl files to automate tasks, process data, or create Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts that add functionality to web servers.

Larry Wall created Perl in 1987 as a general-purpose scripting language to enhance text processing efficiency and productivity. Known for its flexibility and strong support for regular expressions, Perl became popular for web development, system administration, and data parsing tasks. For example, developers may use .pl files in server log analysis, where a script reads large log files, extracts valuable information like IP addresses or error codes, and generates a summary report, helping system administrators monitor server activity or troubleshoot issues.

Developers write, view, and edit .pl files with plain text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs). Advanced code editors offer helpful features, such as syntax highlighting and debugging support. However, developers who work extensively with Perl often prefer IDEs with Perl-specific features to streamline coding and script management.