The bad news is that Perl isn't dead for sure. Languages tend to stick around for a while.
For myself, I regret all the time I've spent learning and using it. Perl and C++ are languages for those who don't know better. I know because I've used both extensively. Powerful text handling facilities? Perl? You are kidding: Emacs Lisp burns it with a blow.
Now down-vote me like ants gone mad. If you have less than ten years of experience "struggling" with code, and you haven't learned a bunch of languages beyond mainstream ones, then you just can't understand.
> A current example is the "Who's hiring" thread which is now on HN: Most of the requirements are C/C++/Java/PHP/Python/Ruby, and almost none are for Perl.
C/C++/Java/PHP/Python/Ruby? Really? I was expecting HNers to be a little more innovative.
Sorry. I should have deleted Python, Ruby - and maybe PHP for close to the metal web programming - after having copied the line. Regarding C/C++/Java, I was expecting HNers to prefer more agile languages and/or exploiting some other language's features to gain a competitive advantage.
I agree with you about Perl, but what language do you use to replace C++, as someone who knows better? I haven't quite found anything that can replace it.
I'm sorry to say I should have written: "Perl and C++ are good languages to those who don't know better ones" instead. I've been able to dump Perl, but I'm currently stuck with C++ too (as an employee). Why do you think you can't replace it? What are you using C++ for?
For myself, I regret all the time I've spent learning and using it. Perl and C++ are languages for those who don't know better. I know because I've used both extensively. Powerful text handling facilities? Perl? You are kidding: Emacs Lisp burns it with a blow.
Now down-vote me like ants gone mad. If you have less than ten years of experience "struggling" with code, and you haven't learned a bunch of languages beyond mainstream ones, then you just can't understand.
> A current example is the "Who's hiring" thread which is now on HN: Most of the requirements are C/C++/Java/PHP/Python/Ruby, and almost none are for Perl.
C/C++/Java/PHP/Python/Ruby? Really? I was expecting HNers to be a little more innovative.