Initial version of the name change PR

Please note, this is only the initial version of the PR, intended for
internal discussion / augmentation before being turned into a real
("draft") PR, for wider discussion / voting.

Author: lizmat

PATH-TO-RAKU.md

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+# The Path to Raku
+
+This document describes the steps to be taken to effectuate a rename of
+`Perl 6` to `Raku`, as described in issue #81.  It does not pretend to be
+complete in scope or in time.  To change a name of a project that has been
+running for 19+ years will take time, a lot of effort and a lot of
+cooperation.  It will affect people in foreseen and unforeseen ways.
+
+The "Velvet Divorce" could serve as a model on how to treat this.
+
+## Language changes
+
+The `.perl` method should be deprecated in 6.e, and removed in 6.f/g.  It
+should be replaced by a `.code` method.  This could be implemented by a
+global search/replace of `.perl` to `.code` (both in method names and in
+calls) in `src/core`, `src/Perl6` and `lib`.  A new `Mu.perl` method should
+issue a DEPRECATED message, and then call `Mu.code`.
+
+## Documentation changes
+
+Wherever `Perl 6` is mentioned in the documentation, this should be changed
+to `Raku`.  A mention of `Perl 6` in the glossary should remain, and maybe
+in the documentation of the `.perl` (to be renamed to `.code`) method.
+
+## Website changes
+
+Websites that have `perl6` in their name, should redirect to their
+equivalent with a 301 (Moved Permanently).  Some way should be devised that
+if someone is redirected, that a small explanation of the name change is
+offered and that the visitor is indeed at the place they were planning to
+be.
+
+## External references
+
+Many places on the Internet refer to `Perl 6`, e.g. Wikipedia.  These
+references will need to be changed to `Raku`, with a small explanation of
+the name change.
+
+Many sites, such as Reddit and StackOverflow, use implicit / explicit `perl6`
+tags.  These will need to be changed or have a `raku` tag added, possibly
+with cooperation of the administrators.
+
+Sites such as PerlMonks appear to be really `Perl 5` focused, and could
+possible make that clear in their description, or change their description
+to specifically include `Raku`.  It would look like the `/r/perl` Reddit
+description can be changed to indicate that only `Perl 5` questions are
+on topic there.
+
+## Technical changes
+
+All technical changes should make sure that all existing scripts continue
+to work without change in the foreseeable future (with optional DEPRECATED
+messages where appropriate).
+
+### Executables
+
+As some packagers have already done, the executable should be called `raku`.
+With symlinks / hard links added as appropriate to keep the old executable
+names working.  If at all technically possible, running a script using the
+`perl6` as the executor, should provide a DEPRECATED warning at some point.
+
+### Extensions
+
+The extension `.rk` for scripts, and `.rkm` for modules, will become the
+defacto standards for files containing `Raku` code.  The old `.pm` and
+`.pm6` extensions will continue to be supported for 6.e.  In 6.f, the
+`.pm` and `.pm6` extensions should be marked as DEPRECATED, causing a message
+to be generated when the module is loaded.
+
+On Windows some more trickery may be involved to mark a script with the
+`.rk` extension as executable.
+
+### Testing
+
+Roast continues to be the specification of the language.  Only the name
+of the language it specifies, changes.  Internal references to `Perl 6`
+will need to be changed.
+
+## Mascot
+
+Camelia will remain the mascot.  So the only thing that should change there
+is that it is the mascot of `Raku` rather than `Perl 6`.
+
+## Marketing changes
+
+Renaming `Perl 6` to `Raku` is an event that should be used to get maximum
+marketing result.  This will need a new marketing repo, with `Raku` marketing
+materials.  Announcement should be coordinated, e.g. by a blog post on
+`opensource.com` or similar outlets, followed up by links on the various
+social media outlets, such as Twitter, Facebook, Hacker News, Reddit, etc.
+
+## Ecosystem changes
+
+From the standpoint of users, there should not be any change: `zef` should
+continue to do what it does.  The information about what is in the ecosystem,
+is not related to the "perl 6" name at the moment, so does not need any
+change either.
+
+On PAUSE, Perl 6 distributions are automatically uploaded to a "Perl6"
+subdirectory, but this is completely transparent to both the author as well
+as anything else that needs to look at that.  So for the foreseeable future,
+no changes will be needed there.
+
+Should PAUSE decide to no longer support `Raku` modules in its system, then
+alternatives will need to be found and/or implemented.
+
+## Effects on modules in ecosystem
+
+Many modules either mention "perl6-" in their repo name, or mention "Perl 6"
+in their documentation.  These will have to be scanned and Pull Requests
+will need to be made for them.
+
+## Effects on running sub-projects
+
+Projects, such as Comma and Cro do not need any notifications, but other
+sub-projects may need to get advance notice.
+
+## Effects on the Perl community
+
+There is a (small) part of the Perl community that welcomes Perl 6 leaving
+that community.  But in general, it appears that Perl community members would
+like to have channels open between members that only do `Perl 5`, and members
+that only do `Raku`.
+
+## Effects on user groups
+
+Each Perl user group (Perl Monger group) will have to decide for themselves
+what they want to do with this new situation.  More active groups in the
+past years, have started using the services of online meeting organizers
+such as MeetUp.  To indicate the changed situation, it may be a good idea
+to change the names of such groups, e.g. from "Foo Perl Mongers Meeting" to
+"Foo Perl Family Meetup" or "Foo Perl Community Meetup".  Should a user
+group decide to only focus on `Perl 5` or `Raku` only, then they are of
+course open to not change their name, or to change it to something like
+"Foo Raku Meetup".  This could coincide with the official announcement,
+and maybe special events to celebrate the name change.
+
+## Relationship with The Perl Foundation
+
+No changes should be necessary with regards to the relationship with The
+Perl Foundation.  But this is mostly up to The Perl Foundation.  A suggestion
+would be to make the website of The Perl Foundation more general: a Perl
+Family.  With equal attention for Perl, Raku, RPerl and CPerl, and emphasis
+on continued development on all projects.
+
+Should The Perl Foundation decide to not want to have anything to do with
+`Raku`, only then should an alternate organisational support be discussed.