XML python? perl? java?

This is a newbie question and I know that the debate rages on however, I have not found a suitible answer yet.

I am creating a database that holds all the information regarding individual ports on a large net work. I am storing the data in a RDBMS (postgre or MySQL) and then outputting it to XML for display or conversion to another format. In addition to this I have another project coming up, a documentation system that uses docbooks. Both of these systems will be hosted on a Apache server.

Need less to say I am going to be using XML a lot and sense I am in to planning stages, and I'll have to learn a new language any way. I am completely free to choose.

My question is then. What language would you suggest I use and why?

I've heard a lot of debate about syntax and bias opinions but what are some real world reasons like Performance, Portability, Ease of Use, Support, Existing Libraries, Modules ETC.

Thank you very much for your contributions in advance.

PHP?

Easy to understand and learn. A huge amount of free tutorials and code librarys on the net. Works on both Windows and Unix. Free. Works great with XML and XSL. Support XMLDOM.

And so on...

I have considered PHP -mostly because I already use it. But I am looking for something with more power that I can run independent of the server/browser.

PHP's got nothing over perl in terms of power, php's just easier to code into html in most cases. For the later reason, I use php almost exclusively for cgi and dynamic pages.

But I still find myself going back to perl when I want scripts that operate outslide of a web-environment. Perl is just as portable as php is, has alot of free modules/addons/wigits and is pretty damn powerful too. Perl definitely looks more dated now that php has taken the cgi throne, but it really isn't. I'd consider it.

Perl is definately in the running but what about python? It doesn't seem to be as popular or it is at least less spoken of. But many have said that it is ideal for processing XML. So what advantages does it have over perl?

Everyone seems to be in love with perl, where I think perl is a good language it will never hold up to Python in my opinion. perl is good for "write once" programs, where Pythons beautiful syntax is easy to read and maintain. Python is nice to work with, easy to learn and its rich standard library, make it a great language for any situation!

Now I don’t wish to start the whole perl/Python war here, you said, “It doesn't seem to be as popular or it is at least less spoken of.” where Python is much less widely talk about than perl it is still very popular, perl seems to have been thrust into the eyes of the public by companies like O’reilly and Activestate (who I must admit I think are great!). Python has been around since before perl (as far as I know) but has for a long time now been living in perl’s shadow!

XML.com also does seem to be recommending Python with XML, the last few times I’ve been to there website at the top of the page was “The Python XML column”… Anyway that’s just what I think, although if you haven’t guessed I’m a Pythonist!!!

Good luck with you project,
Tommy