Is Perl a dead language?

Perl remains a vibrant, actively maintained language despite some perceptions of decline. It combines mature text-processing power, expressive syntax, and a passionate community that continues evolving Perl 5 and preparing Perl 7.

Why Perl Is Not Dead

Though less trendy than newer languages, Perl’s longevity is supported by:

• Ongoing development: Perl 5 receives regular updates (e.g., v5.38 in 2023).
• Rich ecosystem: The Comprehensive Perl Archive Network (CPAN) hosts hundreds of thousands of modules.
• Legacy presence: Perl scripts automate many tasks in finance, bioinformatics, and system administration.
• Flexibility: Perl’s mantra TMTOWTDI (“There’s More Than One Way To Do It”) allows diverse programming styles.

Modern Perl Features Demonstrated

Starting with Perl 5.10, features like say (which appends a newline automatically) and the defined-or operator (//) simplify and clarify code. The // operator returns its left side if defined, otherwise its right, which reduces the need for verbose defined checks.

Runnable Perl Example: Confirm Perl Is Alive

use strict;
use warnings;
use feature 'say';

sub check_perl_status {
    my $status = "alive";
    # Use defined-or operator (Perl 5.10+) to assign message safely
    my $message = "Perl is $status!" // "Perl status unknown.";
    say $message;
}

check_perl_status();

This self-contained script clearly demonstrates the say function and // operator, printing Perl is alive! when run under Perl 5.10 or newer.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Perl version: Features like say and // require Perl 5.10 or later. Use <<>> or older syntax otherwise.
• Context sensitivity: Perl’s scalar vs list context can change results, so be mindful of it.
• Sigils: Scalars ($), arrays (@), and hashes (%) have distinct behaviors—treat accordingly.
• Readability: Perl allows many ways to do things; prefer clear, commented code for maintainability.

Summary

Far from dead, Perl is a mature and practical language with a strong community and ecosystem. Whether maintaining legacy scripts or exploring new projects, Perl’s expressive syntax and powerful features remain relevant for many domains.