Date: Thu, 06 Apr 2000 01:01:04 -0700 From: Doug Barton <Doug@gorean.org> To: Christopher Masto <chris@netmonger.net> Cc: Nick Hibma <n_hibma@calcaphon.com>, Chuck Robey <chuckr@picnic.mat.net>, "Thomas T. Veldhouse" <veldy@veldy.net>, FreeBSD-Current <freebsd-current@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: Perl 5.6.0? Message-ID: <38EC443F.C1503735@gorean.org> References: <20000403024241.A13365@netmonger.net> <Pine.BSF.4.20.0004031050131.9381-100000@localhost> <20000403130055.A8685@netmonger.net>
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Christopher Masto wrote:
>
> On Mon, Apr 03, 2000 at 10:52:13AM +0100, Nick Hibma wrote:
> > Are there actually any good reasons why we _should_ upgrade in the first
> > place?
>
> Of course. We now have an obsolete version of Perl. That should be
> reason enough to upgrade.
You haven't given a sufficiently compelling definition of "obsolete"
yet. I think that what people are really asking is, "What does this new
perl get us that we don't already have?" Once we've answered that, then
we can balance the benefits against the costs (which are pretty high,
considering the complexity of integrating perl into the berkeley make
environment) and then we can try and apply those arguments in the search
for someone who is willing and able to do the work.
> 5.6 is the first major release in over a year. It has significant new
> syntax that I intend to start using immediately, as will much of the
> rest of the Perl community. "Why haven't you upgraded yet?" is a
> rather traditional battle cry.
Sure it is, in the linux community. And no, I'm not casting aspersions
here. FreeBSD has a much different set of development priorities. Our
friends in the linux community like to be on the "hemmorhaging" edge, as
early adopters of stuff like a .0 release of perl, we prefer to wait
till some of the wounds have scabbed over a bit. (Note, I'm talking
about my perceptions based on experience, I don't speak for anyone other
than myself.) Also, anyone who wants to use the new perl can. You just
compile it up and install it wherever you want. We've even provided
hooks to prevent the system perl from being compiled if you need that
level of control over the process.
> I don't know whey they called it 5.6.0.. I'm dropping the .0, because
> it seems to inspire the usual "point-oh fear".
In my experience with perl (which is fairly extensive) that fear is
well justified.
> This is not a
> "point-oh" release in the usual sense, and waiting for 5.6.1 would be
> a mistake.
Why?
--
"So, the cows were part of a dream that dreamed itself into
existence? Is that possible?" asked the student incredulously.
The master simply replied, "Mu."
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