Perl 5 vs. Raku (Perl 6): A Head-to-Head Comparison for Modern Programmers

Perl has been a cornerstone in the programming community for decades, with Perl 5 establishing itself as a versatile and powerful language. Its successor, Raku (formerly Perl 6), introduced as a part of the language’s evolution, offers modernized features and a different perspective on coding paradigms. This blog post provides a comprehensive comparison between Perl 5 and Raku, helping programmers understand the fundamental differences and make informed decisions about which language to use for their projects.

Why Compare Perl 5 and Raku?

• Choosing the Right Tool: For developers embarking on new projects or contemplating a transition from Perl 5, understanding each language’s strengths and limitations is crucial.
• Modernization: Raku incorporates modern programming concepts and syntax improvements, which can serve as a benchmark for updating existing Perl 5 codebases.
• Language Evolution: The development from Perl 5 to Raku illustrates significant advancements in addressing modern programming challenges and requirements.

Perl 5 vs. Raku (Perl 6): 15 Key Differences

Below is a table that highlights 15 crucial differences between Perl 5 and Raku, complete with code examples to illustrate each point.

This tabular comparison not only showcases the syntactic differences but also highlights the philosophical shifts in how problems are approached and solved in Raku compared to Perl 5. Whether you’re maintaining legacy Perl 5 applications or looking to leverage the modern features of Raku, this comparison provides the insights needed to navigate the capabilities and potential of each language effectively.