Re: A Melancholy Monkday

As long as perl is useful to and educational for you, who cares what someone else says about the popularity of the language you use? Seriously, since I joined this site, I have seen various threads of people bemoaning this same thing-that this report claims perl's demise, that that survey or index reports that perl is dead or on its way out. Saddening, maddening, yes. But really, why should they matter? Perl will continue for as long as it is useful or someone finds value in its use. If you are worried about your skill sets, then by all means try to pick up another language (or two, or more, if the urge hits you), and take to heart what each of them teaches you, but I would not sweat it too much just yet.

Comment on Re: A Melancholy Monkday

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^2: A Melancholy Monkday by McA (Priest) on Jan 19, 2014 at 08:04 UTC
Hi, I'm following this "popularity discussion" here and elsewhere. I normally agree with the opinion that it's irreleavant want others say as long as the language is useful and actively maintained, which perl is. But: Currently we are searching for a young employee. There is not one that has experience in Perl. But worse, the candidates are not really attracted by learning a language which seems to be old, outdated and unfancy. I can understand this. Arguing that the programming language is more or less irrelevant in the long term is difficult addressed to someone being at the start of his professional career and thinking about where to invest learning power into. It's definitly easier to convince someone knowing he can now learn a very attractive programming language. Many many people are really surprised hearing that we use Perl as main programming language. From "what is this" to "uhhh, that still lives" you can hear everything, but really no "oh, what a mature, effective programming language with an unbelievable eco system". So, I'm really not against all activities raising the popularity of Perl. Best regards McA	[reply]
Re^3: A Melancholy Monkday by Anonymous Monk on Jan 21, 2014 at 14:56 UTC
We are searching for a young employee ... Perhaps that is part of your problem. I want to find experience. Hire people who seem to have the knack for it, then take them under your wing and teach them what you do and how you do it here.	[reply]
Re^3: A Melancholy Monkday by wazoox (Prior) on Feb 04, 2014 at 21:20 UTC
I don't get it. I've had several young employees in the recent years, and though they didn't know any Perl, none had any reticence learning it to do the job; in fact, they all were quite happy to learn something new.	[reply]
Re^3: A Melancholy Monkday by afoken (Chancellor) on Feb 05, 2014 at 18:18 UTC
But: Currently we are searching for a young employee. There is not one that has experience in Perl. But worse, the candidates are not really attracted by learning a language which seems to be old, outdated and unfancy. Tell them: "Never call Perl old, outdated, and unfancy before you have worked with MUMPS." ;-) Why are you explicitly looking for a young employee? No money for experienced employees? Alexander -- Today I will gladly share my knowledge and experience, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so". ;-)	[reply]
Re^2: A Melancholy Monkday by moritz (Cardinal) on Jan 19, 2014 at 10:23 UTC
As long as perl is useful to and educational for you, who cares what someone else says about the popularity of the language you use? Everybody who cares about Perl should care. Public perception influences what programming languages are taught at universities, and what language new "from scratch" projects are written in. Both choices influence the talent pool and the number and quality of available modules and tools. So the past perception of Perl has shaped the status quo (about which you seem to be happy), and the current perception of Perl shapes the future of Perl. Perl 6 - the future is here, just unevenly distributed	[reply]