[rollschild]

I really wish the Perl 6 -> Raku change could let it catch up with other languages such as Python.

Edit: sorry for the confusion. I meant popularity-wise. I wish the change would clarify to people that Perl 6 and Perl 5 are basically two different languages and people should at least consider Perl 6 as an option when they start a new project.

[eddyg]

What do you mean? Perl6/Raku has some great features that make it much better than Python. In addition to no GIL, there's other advantages, like discussed here: https://techbeacon.com/app-dev-testing/why-perl-6-game-thron... and https://www.evanmiller.org/why-im-learning-perl-6.html

The features demonstrated in this talk are worth a watch (or at least a scroll through the slide deck): http://tpm2016.zoffix.com/

[resonantjacket5]

Assuming you mean rename the next version of a programming language — I think that’s a horrible idea. The entire point of continuing with the previous name is that eventually the community will move onto the new language. I’m guessing Perl 6 made too many incompatible changes from Perl 5 though I don’t know much about them.

[daotoad]

Perl 6 started out as a plan for the next version of Perl.

Over the years (announced in 2000, delivered in 2015) it evolved into a distinct language.

In the meantime, Perl5 suffered from the Osbourne Effect.

Meanwhile a rift developed in the Perl community. Some are for Perl 5 forever. Some are Perl 6 forever. Some Perl 5 people blame Perl 6 for Perl 5's perception as a dead language. Some Perl 6 people blame Perl 5's reputation for being "write only" and "dead" for difficulty getting people to try Perl 6.

IMHO, both sides are correct, both sides over-state their case.

Renaming Perl 6 has been discussed for close to a decade, by people who are Perl 5, Perl 6, and just plain Perl partisans.

It's been a difficult decision. Many people have worked very hard on both projects, and have strong feelings tied up in the issue. Important contributors to the projects have quit as a result the issues.

This isn't a change that was lightly made. It's far bigger than the Python 2 to Python 3 divergence. It's more like moving from C to C#.

[BowBun]

I don't understand this comment. What needs to 'catch up'? They are vastly different languages with different philosophies, there's problems better solved in either language.

[rollschild]

I meant popularity wise.