> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2024 22:37:29 +0100 > From: Patrice Dumas <pertu...@free.fr> > > On Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 09:12:26PM +0000, Gavin Smith wrote: > > I learned that for Python, there is something called the "Python stable > > ABI" which there appears not to be an equivalent for for Perl. It is > > still limited, though: > > > > CPython’s Application Binary Interface (ABI) is forward- and > > backwards-compatible across a minor release (if these are compiled the > > same way; see Platform Considerations below). So, code compiled for > > Python 3.10.0 will work on 3.10.8 and vice versa, but will need to be > > compiled separately for 3.9.x and 3.11.x. > > > > https://docs.python.org/3/c-api/stable.html > > If I understood correctly https://perldoc.perl.org/perlpolicy, the same > is true for Perl. 5.x.y should be binary compatible for all y.
We switched from purely-C makeinfo to Perl because the C implementation was not being actively developed, and Pat had an almost ready improvement in Perl and was prepared to make it a replacement for makeinfo. Pat is still with us, fortunately, and development still moves forward with every major release. So I personally think a switch to another language (and the massive reimplementation and retesting effort which go with that) should only be considered if the current implementation stagnates and/or Pat leaves the project and/or some other calamity of similar kind. Otherwise, the effort to go into such a change is not justified.
