What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Perl scripts within PHP?

When using Perl scripts within PHP, the main advantage is the ability to leverage existing Perl libraries or scripts for specific tasks that are not easily achievable in PHP. However, the disadvantage is the potential complexity and overhead of integrating two different languages within the same codebase, which can lead to maintenance issues and performance concerns.

// Example of using Perl script within PHP
$perlScript = <<<PERL
use strict;
use warnings;

my \$name = "John";
print "Hello, \$name!\n";
PERL;

$output = shell_exec("perl -e '$perlScript'");
echo $output;