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

From: Randal L. Schwartz <merlyn@stonehenge.com>
Date: Nov 23, 2005, 14:27 UTC
Message-ID: <86mzjvphhj.fsf_-_@blue.stonehenge.com>
In-Reply-To: <20051123135604.GB16995@mythryan2.michonline.com>

>>>>> "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. :)

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