Let me see if I understand the final version of your (Mike's) suggestions and where it appears to be headed:
Backwards compatibility: perl5 extended syntax still works in perl6 if one happens to use it. Forward conversion: Automatic conversion of relevant perl5 regex syntax to perl6 is simple. New extension syntax: 1. Syntax is (ops data). 2. There are a bunch of built-in ops, but user can define new ones. [2c. What about ( data) or (ops data) normally means non-capturing, ($2 data) captures into $2, ($foo data) captures into $foo?] Rationalized ops syntax: Ops string consists of arbitrarily ordered individual op characters. (eg '<' signifies a look behind, '!<' signifies fail if look behind match.) Embedded code: Code is inserted using {} with something other than digits in them. (Other stuff, such as sexegers, ignored.) -- ralph