Perl version support (was Re: [PATCH] git-mv is not able to handle big directories)

[merlyn@stonehenge.com (Randal L. Schwartz)]

>>>>> "Ryan" == Ryan Anderson <ryan@michonline.com> writes:

Ryan> For the kernel, requiring 5.8 shouldn't be a big issue. I suspect it's
Ryan> really only the commercial Unixes where requiring 5.8 would be annoying.

Ryan> Randal, is my guess even remotely accurate?

I'd say that 50% of the Perl-using population is at 5.6, with 25% each
at 5.5 and 5.8.  Those on 5.5 are generally unable to upgrade Perl
for corporate reasons.

Targetting Perl 5.6 would assist broad acceptance of git for the
typical commercial end user.  Targetting 5.5 where possible would
ensure practical success for everyone.

However, I have not seen the "target market" of git discussed yet
(I came late to the party), so if support for 5.6 (or 5.5) is not chosen,
it merely limits the market.

If you'd like, I can review all the Perl code with a tool that
determines the minimum Perl version, and provide patches to bring the
code to 5.5 level.  But if it's likely that someone will say "this
is not important to us", I'd rather not waste my time. :)

-- 
Randal L. Schwartz - Stonehenge Consulting Services, Inc. - +1 503 777 0095
<merlyn@stonehenge.com> <URL:http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/>
Perl/Unix/security consulting, Technical writing, Comedy, etc. etc.
See PerlTraining.Stonehenge.com for onsite and open-enrollment Perl training!