Look at it this way: SQLite3 is (more or less) slowly becoming SQLite4, except for the parts that did not work out.
It is not as shiny, but in the long run, you still get all the goodness. Nevermind the name / version number.
It is not as shiny, but in the long run, you still get all the goodness. Nevermind the name / version number.
So I'm pretty sure he did mean perl5, and as a happy user of both perl5 and sqlite the comparison seems apt.
Whilst SQLite3 is at the very top of its class, with lots of new features, and very well maintained.
He's also, OTOH, a technically brilliant developer whose positive contributions will be missed.
(also if you ever run into him at a conference, I'd recommend grabbing a beer with him, I've always enjoyed doing so in spite of our spirited disagreements over various things)