I started using Switch, then I read in CPAN "do not use if you can use given/when". Then when I used given/when, I ended up with warnings plus advice not to use given/when. Hmmmmmm. As an occasional perl user, that is a little frustrating rewriting the same section of code 3x to do exactly the same thing.

I completely agree and understand. The (mis-)management of the switch/case equivalent in Perl over the years has become something of a lesson in how not to do it. given/when never struck me as a good idea so I just avoided it but plenty succumbed. Similarly, I never went anywhere near smartmatch but only a minority were enticed into that one. FWIW the current guidance is here. It will probably change again.

Sometimes being behind the curve is a good thing. These days I usually write Perl which is something like 5 years behind the current release in terms of features. This gives enough lead-in to be able to ascertain which "new" features have turned out to be turkeys and should be avoided. Such an approach is not for everyone, of course, but it can have its advantages (not least of which is back-compatibility).