I hope this won't sound as heresy. I would like to learn at least another programming language besides Perl. The problem is that I think that sticking with just one programming language is too restrictive. I may still be using Perl as the "main" one, nay it's highly probable that I'd do in any case, but I want a somewhat broader perspective.

As far as Perl is concerned, it's so powerful that for quite about every programming need of mine I couldn't think of using another language. But just because of its expressive power and flexibility, I wouldn't like to begin taking too much for granted. So it would be just fine to investigate in languages that are less powerful, or differently powerful (whatever that may mean).

OTOH Perl is so eclectic in its multiparadigmatic nature that the risk of developing a somewhat narrow perspective is possibly smaller than if one stuck with many other languages...

I have the impression that Ruby is particularly popular amongst Perl programmers, as you can see e.g. in this thread, but as I wrote above, I'd be rather interested in a language that's quite different from Perl. Oh, and what I know about Python keeps me glad I never messed with it!

Whatever, on the one hand I'm particularly interested in programming language concepts, so chances are that an academic language could be best suited for me; on the other one, I eventually fell in love with Perl and stuck with it because it served me well in practical matters, as you can read here.

As far as my programming paradigm preferences are concerned, even though I haven't received a formal training or education about these issues, it seems I'm particularly keen on functional programming techniques. But then of course, I'm not fanatic about them...

I've tried ML in the form of SML/NJ and I found it intriguing, but all in all I gave up after a few days. Not to say that I won't try my hand at it again. Incidentally, somebody I know told me that the choice of that particular ML was probably not the best one and suggested that I may want to use Objective Caml instead.

Also, I'm intrigued by RPN languages too, which unlike many people I find to be quite natural as a syntax. And in this sense I have a curiosity towards Forth, but from what I could read about it it seems that I have little to do with its typical application areas. I say so, because I've been playing so much with my old HP-28s calculator in the past, and I still think it's quite a fantastic language... (those who know it may be interested in this observation, complete of Larry Wall's reply.)

Last, I may consider trying some language targeted at Parrot; well, of course I'm not talking about Pugs/Perl6 -- I have Pugs and Parrot already installed. I've recently heard about Amber for Parrot, which seems interesting, how 'bout it?

any suggestion?!?

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