Trying to decide between PHP and Python

[Alan Meyer]

I confess that I haven't used php so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Looking at the history of the two languages, it is my impression that 
php originated as a language for web/CGI development which eventually 
added features enabling it to be used (sparingly) as a general purpose 
language.  Python on the other hand is a general purpose language that 
has added features, in the form of library modules, that enable it to be 
used as a web/CGI development.

Given these histories, one might ask, do you want to learn a new 
language for general purposes including web development, or do you want 
to learn a new language that is specifically focused on web/CGI?  If the 
later, php will be an excellent choice, if the former, Python.

If you only want to learn one language, or at least only want to learn 
one at this time, Python seems like a more useful choice - but only if 
you work (or also work) on some applications other than web/CGI.

     Alan