Re: Perl, Web Apps, HTML::Template, HTML::Mason and the future

[strfry()]

Disclaimer/short version: I'm rather fond of frameworks for most things that last more than one application. For that matter, I often like them for just one application, too.

I often prefer CGI::Application and Template Toolkit for small to medium sites and applications. Catalyst seems like a more robust framework, however, and as such offers quite a bit if you're going to be working on a lot of things for the same site (or nest of sites, or nest of nests, etc).

One thing to think of, if you haven't already, is ease of maintenance. While the snippets of code within a framework might differ, it will still follow the same general path. That really helps when you find yourself revisiting a project after a year (or several) of doing other things. (Not to mention the relief of anyone else having to work with the code - if nothing else, think of the interns)

That said, if none of the popular - and/or not-so-popular - frameworks work for you, there's the beauty of Perl. Roll your own - using the modules that others have worked hard to make darn good. CGI + HTML::Mason have powered a lot of great sites in the past, and I'm sure they'll do so in the future, as well.