The best replacement for perl is python.

The best alternatives to perl are rated as following:
★★★★★  python
★★★★  php
★★★  ruby
★★  java
★★  operator
★★  die
★  bash
★  c++
★  c
★  tcl
★  equals
★  awk
★  python performance
★  javascript
  regex
  syntax
  shell
  python speed
  condition
  powershell
  lisp
  asp
  sed
  activeperl
  java performance
  vbscript
  visual basic
  python scripting
  python bioinformatics
  jsp
  activestate perl
  python regex
  shell scripting
  eq
  ruby speed
  and operator
  vs
  fastcgi
  lua
  cgi

Your alternative for perl is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about perl, one probably shouldn't forget about mysql.

Other search terms related to perl and their ratings are:
★★★★★ mysql
★★★ cgi
★★★ apache
★★ expect
★★ threads
★ nginx
★ iis
★ hadoop
★ gui
★ sendmail
dbi
tk
opening file
xampp
grep
You have in mind a companion for perl and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of perl in all years. Click on graph for more.
perl
python
php