Compared to, say, Python, Perl requires a more conscious effort to write readable code, but in my experience it is a) possible and b) not that big of an effort.

Compared to, say, Python, Perl requires a more conscious effort to write readable code, but in my experience it is a) possible and b) not that big of an effort. One can write equally unreadable gibberish in any language if one has the mind to do so (the International Obfuscated C Contest is an impressive, scary, and hilarious monument to this). I don't write much Perl these days, I suppose the language will always have a spot in my heart, and whenever I need to quickly whip up a script that is too complicated for my puny shell-foo, I know where to turn to. :)