If that is the only thing that is missing to make the debugger worthy of the "REPL" tag, then I really fail to see the problem. I was hoping somebody would be able to explain why "a real REPL" is so much better at being a REPL than the debugger, but I have only seen hand waving and 'x' not being the default. So I consider myself still uninformed (and thus unconvinced).

A patch to allow 'x' to be the default would be interesting. If nothing else, it might trigger explanations as to why it still didn't create "a real REPL".

There are several things that I like about my repl over the debugger:

1. I can pre-load various useful modules (like List::Util, Benchmark, Math::Random::MT, Data::Dump, threads, threads::shared; Thread::Queue, Win32::API::Prototype) that I use frequently when experimenting.
2. I have it set up to only evaluate code when a line is terminated with ;; which makes it easier to enter whole subroutines, and loops.
3. It reports extended error messages ($^E) as well as $!.
4. I can add new commands and features as I see fit.

---

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".

In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

"Too many [] have been sedated by an oppressive environment of political correctness and risk aversion."

Honestly, I think the only full REPL I ever really used was with a BASIC dialect on Atari ST, so I can't tell you what "a real REPL" is. With LISP and Python I'm only a beginner.

But having to type "x " or "p " each time does in no way compare to the direct feedback of the Python or Ruby command prompt, which I heavily envy.

Immediate try-and-error experimenting is also very beginner friendly, and I don't see why we should loose fresh blood because of such an (IMHO) easy to realize feature.

It took me very long to find out how to use the perldebugger as a shell and now I can't understand why there is no automatic x or p !?!

Cheers Rolf