21 files changed, 542 insertions, 88 deletions
diff --git a/configpm b/configpm
index 8c53dbb724..f57ef0b9e2 100755
--- a/configpm
+++ b/configpm
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ my $glossary = $ARGV[1] || 'Porting/Glossary';
 
 
 open CONFIG, ">$config_pm" or die "Can't open $config_pm: $!\n";
-$myver = $];
+$myver = 0+$];
 
 print CONFIG <<'ENDOFBEG_NOQ', <<"ENDOFBEG";
 package Config;
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ sub import {
 
 ENDOFBEG_NOQ
 \$] == $myver
-  or die "Perl lib version ($myver) doesn't match executable version (\$])";
+  or die "Perl lib version ($myver) doesn't match executable version (" . 0+\$] . ")";
 
 # This file was created by configpm when Perl was built. Any changes
 # made to this file will be lost the next time perl is built.
diff --git a/embed.h b/embed.h
index d28e67346c..aa5b8bc3ef 100644
--- a/embed.h
+++ b/embed.h
@@ -604,11 +604,15 @@
 #define sv_2mortal		Perl_sv_2mortal
 #define sv_2nv			Perl_sv_2nv
 #define sv_2pv			Perl_sv_2pv
+#define sv_2pvutf8		Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#define sv_2pvbyte		Perl_sv_2pvbyte
 #define sv_2uv			Perl_sv_2uv
 #define sv_iv			Perl_sv_iv
 #define sv_uv			Perl_sv_uv
 #define sv_nv			Perl_sv_nv
 #define sv_pvn			Perl_sv_pvn
+#define sv_pvutf8n		Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#define sv_pvbyten		Perl_sv_pvbyten
 #define sv_true			Perl_sv_true
 #define sv_add_arena		Perl_sv_add_arena
 #define sv_backoff		Perl_sv_backoff
@@ -650,6 +654,8 @@
 #define sv_pos_u2b		Perl_sv_pos_u2b
 #define sv_pos_b2u		Perl_sv_pos_b2u
 #define sv_pvn_force		Perl_sv_pvn_force
+#define sv_pvutf8n_force	Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#define sv_pvbyten_force	Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
 #define sv_reftype		Perl_sv_reftype
 #define sv_replace		Perl_sv_replace
 #define sv_report_used		Perl_sv_report_used
@@ -765,7 +771,11 @@
 #define vdefault_protect	Perl_vdefault_protect
 #define reginitcolors		Perl_reginitcolors
 #define sv_2pv_nolen		Perl_sv_2pv_nolen
+#define sv_2pvutf8_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#define sv_2pvbyte_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
 #define sv_pv			Perl_sv_pv
+#define sv_pvutf8		Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#define sv_pvbyte		Perl_sv_pvbyte
 #define sv_force_normal		Perl_sv_force_normal
 #define tmps_grow		Perl_tmps_grow
 #define sv_rvweaken		Perl_sv_rvweaken
@@ -2008,11 +2018,15 @@
 #define sv_2mortal(a)		Perl_sv_2mortal(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_2nv(a)		Perl_sv_2nv(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_2pv(a,b)		Perl_sv_2pv(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_2pvutf8(a,b)		Perl_sv_2pvutf8(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_2pvbyte(a,b)		Perl_sv_2pvbyte(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_2uv(a)		Perl_sv_2uv(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_iv(a)		Perl_sv_iv(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_uv(a)		Perl_sv_uv(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_nv(a)		Perl_sv_nv(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_pvn(a,b)		Perl_sv_pvn(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_pvutf8n(a,b)		Perl_sv_pvutf8n(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_pvbyten(a,b)		Perl_sv_pvbyten(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_true(a)		Perl_sv_true(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_add_arena(a,b,c)	Perl_sv_add_arena(aTHX_ a,b,c)
 #define sv_backoff(a)		Perl_sv_backoff(aTHX_ a)
@@ -2053,6 +2067,8 @@
 #define sv_pos_u2b(a,b,c)	Perl_sv_pos_u2b(aTHX_ a,b,c)
 #define sv_pos_b2u(a,b)		Perl_sv_pos_b2u(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_pvn_force(a,b)	Perl_sv_pvn_force(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_pvutf8n_force(a,b)	Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force(aTHX_ a,b)
+#define sv_pvbyten_force(a,b)	Perl_sv_pvbyten_force(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_reftype(a,b)		Perl_sv_reftype(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_replace(a,b)		Perl_sv_replace(aTHX_ a,b)
 #define sv_report_used()	Perl_sv_report_used(aTHX)
@@ -2161,7 +2177,11 @@
 #define vdefault_protect(a,b,c,d)	Perl_vdefault_protect(aTHX_ a,b,c,d)
 #define reginitcolors()		Perl_reginitcolors(aTHX)
 #define sv_2pv_nolen(a)		Perl_sv_2pv_nolen(aTHX_ a)
+#define sv_2pvutf8_nolen(a)	Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen(aTHX_ a)
+#define sv_2pvbyte_nolen(a)	Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_pv(a)		Perl_sv_pv(aTHX_ a)
+#define sv_pvutf8(a)		Perl_sv_pvutf8(aTHX_ a)
+#define sv_pvbyte(a)		Perl_sv_pvbyte(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_force_normal(a)	Perl_sv_force_normal(aTHX_ a)
 #define tmps_grow(a)		Perl_tmps_grow(aTHX_ a)
 #define sv_rvweaken(a)		Perl_sv_rvweaken(aTHX_ a)
@@ -3934,6 +3954,10 @@
 #define sv_2nv			Perl_sv_2nv
 #define Perl_sv_2pv		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pv
 #define sv_2pv			Perl_sv_2pv
+#define Perl_sv_2pvutf8		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#define sv_2pvutf8		Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#define Perl_sv_2pvbyte		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pvbyte
+#define sv_2pvbyte		Perl_sv_2pvbyte
 #define Perl_sv_2uv		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2uv
 #define sv_2uv			Perl_sv_2uv
 #define Perl_sv_iv		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_iv
@@ -3944,6 +3968,10 @@
 #define sv_nv			Perl_sv_nv
 #define Perl_sv_pvn		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvn
 #define sv_pvn			Perl_sv_pvn
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8n		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#define sv_pvutf8n		Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyten		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvbyten
+#define sv_pvbyten		Perl_sv_pvbyten
 #define Perl_sv_true		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_true
 #define sv_true			Perl_sv_true
 #define Perl_sv_add_arena	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_add_arena
@@ -4024,6 +4052,10 @@
 #define sv_pos_b2u		Perl_sv_pos_b2u
 #define Perl_sv_pvn_force	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvn_force
 #define sv_pvn_force		Perl_sv_pvn_force
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#define sv_pvutf8n_force	Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyten_force	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
+#define sv_pvbyten_force	Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
 #define Perl_sv_reftype		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_reftype
 #define sv_reftype		Perl_sv_reftype
 #define Perl_sv_replace		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_replace
@@ -4241,8 +4273,16 @@
 #define reginitcolors		Perl_reginitcolors
 #define Perl_sv_2pv_nolen	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pv_nolen
 #define sv_2pv_nolen		Perl_sv_2pv_nolen
+#define Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#define sv_2pvutf8_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#define Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
+#define sv_2pvbyte_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
 #define Perl_sv_pv		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pv
 #define sv_pv			Perl_sv_pv
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#define sv_pvutf8		Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyte		CPerlObj::Perl_sv_pvbyte
+#define sv_pvbyte		Perl_sv_pvbyte
 #define Perl_sv_force_normal	CPerlObj::Perl_sv_force_normal
 #define sv_force_normal		Perl_sv_force_normal
 #define Perl_tmps_grow		CPerlObj::Perl_tmps_grow
diff --git a/embed.pl b/embed.pl
index 3ff4597b77..8419eea8c8 100755
--- a/embed.pl
+++ b/embed.pl
@@ -1650,11 +1650,15 @@ p	|IV	|sv_2iv		|SV* sv
 p	|SV*	|sv_2mortal	|SV* sv
 p	|NV	|sv_2nv		|SV* sv
 p	|char*	|sv_2pv		|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
+p	|char*	|sv_2pvutf8	|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
+p	|char*	|sv_2pvbyte	|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
 p	|UV	|sv_2uv		|SV* sv
 p	|IV	|sv_iv		|SV* sv
 p	|UV	|sv_uv		|SV* sv
 p	|NV	|sv_nv		|SV* sv
 p	|char*	|sv_pvn		|SV *sv|STRLEN *len
+p	|char*	|sv_pvutf8n	|SV *sv|STRLEN *len
+p	|char*	|sv_pvbyten	|SV *sv|STRLEN *len
 p	|I32	|sv_true	|SV *sv
 p	|void	|sv_add_arena	|char* ptr|U32 size|U32 flags
 p	|int	|sv_backoff	|SV* sv
@@ -1698,6 +1702,8 @@ p	|char*	|sv_peek	|SV* sv
 p	|void	|sv_pos_u2b	|SV* sv|I32* offsetp|I32* lenp
 p	|void	|sv_pos_b2u	|SV* sv|I32* offsetp
 p	|char*	|sv_pvn_force	|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
+p	|char*	|sv_pvutf8n_force|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
+p	|char*	|sv_pvbyten_force|SV* sv|STRLEN* lp
 p	|char*	|sv_reftype	|SV* sv|int ob
 p	|void	|sv_replace	|SV* sv|SV* nsv
 p	|void	|sv_report_used
@@ -1825,7 +1831,11 @@ p	|void*	|vdefault_protect|volatile JMPENV *je|int *excpt \
 				|protect_body_t body|va_list *args
 p	|void	|reginitcolors
 p	|char*	|sv_2pv_nolen	|SV* sv
+p	|char*	|sv_2pvutf8_nolen|SV* sv
+p	|char*	|sv_2pvbyte_nolen|SV* sv
 p	|char*	|sv_pv		|SV *sv
+p	|char*	|sv_pvutf8	|SV *sv
+p	|char*	|sv_pvbyte	|SV *sv
 p	|void	|sv_force_normal|SV *sv
 p	|void	|tmps_grow	|I32 n
 p	|SV*	|sv_rvweaken	|SV *sv
diff --git a/embedvar.h b/embedvar.h
index 6611921e50..837c0308cf 100644
--- a/embedvar.h
+++ b/embedvar.h
@@ -191,7 +191,6 @@
 #define PL_StdIO		(PERL_GET_INTERP->IStdIO)
 #define PL_amagic_generation	(PERL_GET_INTERP->Iamagic_generation)
 #define PL_an			(PERL_GET_INTERP->Ian)
-#define PL_archpat_auto		(PERL_GET_INTERP->Iarchpat_auto)
 #define PL_argvgv		(PERL_GET_INTERP->Iargvgv)
 #define PL_argvout_stack	(PERL_GET_INTERP->Iargvout_stack)
 #define PL_argvoutgv		(PERL_GET_INTERP->Iargvoutgv)
@@ -456,7 +455,6 @@
 #define PL_StdIO		(vTHX->IStdIO)
 #define PL_amagic_generation	(vTHX->Iamagic_generation)
 #define PL_an			(vTHX->Ian)
-#define PL_archpat_auto		(vTHX->Iarchpat_auto)
 #define PL_argvgv		(vTHX->Iargvgv)
 #define PL_argvout_stack	(vTHX->Iargvout_stack)
 #define PL_argvoutgv		(vTHX->Iargvoutgv)
@@ -858,7 +856,6 @@
 #define PL_StdIO		(aTHXo->interp.IStdIO)
 #define PL_amagic_generation	(aTHXo->interp.Iamagic_generation)
 #define PL_an			(aTHXo->interp.Ian)
-#define PL_archpat_auto		(aTHXo->interp.Iarchpat_auto)
 #define PL_argvgv		(aTHXo->interp.Iargvgv)
 #define PL_argvout_stack	(aTHXo->interp.Iargvout_stack)
 #define PL_argvoutgv		(aTHXo->interp.Iargvoutgv)
@@ -1124,7 +1121,6 @@
 #define PL_IStdIO		PL_StdIO
 #define PL_Iamagic_generation	PL_amagic_generation
 #define PL_Ian			PL_an
-#define PL_Iarchpat_auto	PL_archpat_auto
 #define PL_Iargvgv		PL_argvgv
 #define PL_Iargvout_stack	PL_argvout_stack
 #define PL_Iargvoutgv		PL_argvoutgv
diff --git a/gv.c b/gv.c
index e1e4ae081c..e2c63497ce 100644
--- a/gv.c
+++ b/gv.c
@@ -812,10 +812,8 @@ Perl_gv_fetchpv(pTHX_ const char *nambeg, I32 add, I32 sv_type)
     case ']':
 	if (len == 1) {
 	    SV *sv = GvSV(gv);
-	    (void)SvUPGRADE(sv, SVt_PVNV);
-	    sv_setpv(sv, PL_patchlevel);
-	    (void)sv_2nv(sv);
-	    SvREADONLY_on(sv);
+	    GvSV(gv) = SvREFCNT_inc(PL_patchlevel);
+	    SvREFCNT_dec(sv);
 	}
 	break;
     }
diff --git a/intrpvar.h b/intrpvar.h
index 3e2c563e73..606a892374 100644
--- a/intrpvar.h
+++ b/intrpvar.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ PERLVAR(Iwarnhook,	SV *)
 
 /* switches */
 PERLVAR(Iminus_c,	bool)
-PERLVARA(Ipatchlevel,10,char)
+PERLVAR(Ipatchlevel,	SV *)
 PERLVAR(Ilocalpatches,	char **)
 PERLVARI(Isplitstr,	char *,	" ")
 PERLVAR(Ipreprocess,	bool)
@@ -170,7 +170,6 @@ PERLVAR(Isys_intern,	struct interp_intern)
 /* more statics moved here */
 PERLVARI(Igeneration,	int,	100)	/* from op.c */
 PERLVAR(IDBcv,		CV *)		/* from perl.c */
-PERLVAR(Iarchpat_auto,	char*)		/* from perl.c */
 
 PERLVARI(Iin_clean_objs,bool,    FALSE)	/* from sv.c */
 PERLVARI(Iin_clean_all,	bool,    FALSE)	/* from sv.c */
diff --git a/lib/byte.pm b/lib/byte.pm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cc23b40f4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/byte.pm
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package byte;
+
+sub import {
+    $^H |= 0x00000010;
+}
+
+sub unimport {
+    $^H &= ~0x00000010;
+}
+
+sub AUTOLOAD {
+    require "byte_heavy.pl";
+    goto &$AUTOLOAD;
+}
+
+sub length ($);
+
+1;
+__END__
+
+=head1 NAME
+
+byte - Perl pragma to turn force treating strings as bytes not UNICODE
+
+=head1 SYNOPSIS
+
+    use byte;
+    no byte;
+
+=head1 DESCRIPTION
+
+
+=cut
diff --git a/lib/byte_heavy.pl b/lib/byte_heavy.pl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..07c908a689
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/byte_heavy.pl
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package byte;
+
+sub length ($)
+{
+ return CORE::length($_[0]);
+}
+
+1;
diff --git a/objXSUB.h b/objXSUB.h
index d57bb103f7..36c9f7c432 100644
--- a/objXSUB.h
+++ b/objXSUB.h
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@
 #define PL_amagic_generation	(*Perl_Iamagic_generation_ptr(aTHXo))
 #undef  PL_an
 #define PL_an			(*Perl_Ian_ptr(aTHXo))
-#undef  PL_archpat_auto
-#define PL_archpat_auto		(*Perl_Iarchpat_auto_ptr(aTHXo))
 #undef  PL_argvgv
 #define PL_argvgv		(*Perl_Iargvgv_ptr(aTHXo))
 #undef  PL_argvout_stack
@@ -2891,6 +2889,14 @@
 #define Perl_sv_2pv		pPerl->Perl_sv_2pv
 #undef  sv_2pv
 #define sv_2pv			Perl_sv_2pv
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#define Perl_sv_2pvutf8		pPerl->Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#undef  sv_2pvutf8
+#define sv_2pvutf8		Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvbyte
+#define Perl_sv_2pvbyte		pPerl->Perl_sv_2pvbyte
+#undef  sv_2pvbyte
+#define sv_2pvbyte		Perl_sv_2pvbyte
 #undef  Perl_sv_2uv
 #define Perl_sv_2uv		pPerl->Perl_sv_2uv
 #undef  sv_2uv
@@ -2911,6 +2917,14 @@
 #define Perl_sv_pvn		pPerl->Perl_sv_pvn
 #undef  sv_pvn
 #define sv_pvn			Perl_sv_pvn
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8n		pPerl->Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#undef  sv_pvutf8n
+#define sv_pvutf8n		Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyten
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyten		pPerl->Perl_sv_pvbyten
+#undef  sv_pvbyten
+#define sv_pvbyten		Perl_sv_pvbyten
 #undef  Perl_sv_true
 #define Perl_sv_true		pPerl->Perl_sv_true
 #undef  sv_true
@@ -3069,6 +3083,14 @@
 #define Perl_sv_pvn_force	pPerl->Perl_sv_pvn_force
 #undef  sv_pvn_force
 #define sv_pvn_force		Perl_sv_pvn_force
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force	pPerl->Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#undef  sv_pvutf8n_force
+#define sv_pvutf8n_force	Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyten_force	pPerl->Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
+#undef  sv_pvbyten_force
+#define sv_pvbyten_force	Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
 #undef  Perl_sv_reftype
 #define Perl_sv_reftype		pPerl->Perl_sv_reftype
 #undef  sv_reftype
@@ -3490,10 +3512,26 @@
 #define Perl_sv_2pv_nolen	pPerl->Perl_sv_2pv_nolen
 #undef  sv_2pv_nolen
 #define sv_2pv_nolen		Perl_sv_2pv_nolen
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#define Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen	pPerl->Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#undef  sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#define sv_2pvutf8_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
+#define Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen	pPerl->Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
+#undef  sv_2pvbyte_nolen
+#define sv_2pvbyte_nolen	Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
 #undef  Perl_sv_pv
 #define Perl_sv_pv		pPerl->Perl_sv_pv
 #undef  sv_pv
 #define sv_pv			Perl_sv_pv
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#define Perl_sv_pvutf8		pPerl->Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#undef  sv_pvutf8
+#define sv_pvutf8		Perl_sv_pvutf8
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyte
+#define Perl_sv_pvbyte		pPerl->Perl_sv_pvbyte
+#undef  sv_pvbyte
+#define sv_pvbyte		Perl_sv_pvbyte
 #undef  Perl_sv_force_normal
 #define Perl_sv_force_normal	pPerl->Perl_sv_force_normal
 #undef  sv_force_normal
diff --git a/patchlevel.h b/patchlevel.h
index 51222176a0..d0fa32d768 100644
--- a/patchlevel.h
+++ b/patchlevel.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 #define PERL_REVISION	5		/* age */
 #define PERL_VERSION	5		/* epoch */
-#define PERL_SUBVERSION	63		/* generation */
+#define PERL_SUBVERSION	640		/* generation */
 
 /* Compatibility across versions:  MakeMaker will install add-on
    modules in a directory with the PERL_APIVERSION version number.  
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
    See INSTALL for how this works.
 */
-#define PERL_APIVERSION 5.00563		/* Adjust manually as needed.  */
+#define PERL_APIVERSION 5.00564		/* Adjust manually as needed.  */
 
 #define __PATCHLEVEL_H_INCLUDED__
 #endif
diff --git a/perl.c b/perl.c
index 95ec5e157e..8b4c59cb78 100644
--- a/perl.c
+++ b/perl.c
@@ -203,14 +203,29 @@ perl_construct(pTHXx)
     init_i18nl10n(1);
     SET_NUMERIC_STANDARD();
 
+    {
+	U8 *s;
+	PL_patchlevel = NEWSV(0,4);
+	SvUPGRADE(PL_patchlevel, SVt_PVNV);
+	if (PERL_REVISION > 127 || PERL_VERSION > 127 || PERL_SUBVERSION > 127)
+	    SvGROW(PL_patchlevel,24);
+	s = (U8*)SvPVX(PL_patchlevel);
+	s = uv_to_utf8(s, (UV)PERL_REVISION);
+	s = uv_to_utf8(s, (UV)PERL_VERSION);
+	s = uv_to_utf8(s, (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION);
+	*s = '\0';
+	SvCUR_set(PL_patchlevel, s - (U8*)SvPVX(PL_patchlevel));
+	SvPOK_on(PL_patchlevel);
+	SvNVX(PL_patchlevel) = (NV)PERL_REVISION
+				+ ((NV)PERL_VERSION / (NV)1000)
 #if defined(PERL_SUBVERSION) && PERL_SUBVERSION > 0
-    sprintf(PL_patchlevel, "%7.5f",   (double) PERL_REVISION
-				+ ((double) PERL_VERSION / (double) 1000)
-				+ ((double) PERL_SUBVERSION / (double) 100000));
-#else
-    sprintf(PL_patchlevel, "%5.3f", (double) PERL_REVISION +
-				((double) PERL_VERSION / (double) 1000));
+				+ ((NV)PERL_SUBVERSION / (NV)1000000)
 #endif
+				;
+	SvNOK_on(PL_patchlevel);	/* dual valued */
+	SvUTF8_on(PL_patchlevel);
+	SvREADONLY_on(PL_patchlevel);
+    }
 
 #if defined(LOCAL_PATCH_COUNT)
     PL_localpatches = local_patches;	/* For possible -v */
@@ -393,6 +408,7 @@ perl_destruct(pTHXx)
 
     Safefree(PL_inplace);
     PL_inplace = Nullch;
+    SvREFCNT_dec(PL_patchlevel);
 
     if (PL_e_script) {
 	SvREFCNT_dec(PL_e_script);
@@ -598,7 +614,6 @@ perl_destruct(pTHXx)
 
     /* No SVs have survived, need to clean out */
     Safefree(PL_origfilename);
-    Safefree(PL_archpat_auto);
     Safefree(PL_reg_start_tmp);
     if (PL_reg_curpm)
 	Safefree(PL_reg_curpm);
@@ -1850,13 +1865,8 @@ Perl_moreswitches(pTHX_ char *s)
 	s++;
 	return s;
     case 'v':
-#if defined(PERL_SUBVERSION) && PERL_SUBVERSION > 0
-	printf("\nThis is perl, version %d.%03d_%02d built for %s",
-	    PERL_REVISION, PERL_VERSION, PERL_SUBVERSION, ARCHNAME);
-#else
-	printf("\nThis is perl, version %s built for %s",
-		PL_patchlevel, ARCHNAME);
-#endif
+	printf("\nThis is perl, v%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf" built for %s",
+	       (UV)PERL_REVISION, (UV)PERL_VERSION, (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION, ARCHNAME);
 #if defined(LOCAL_PATCH_COUNT)
 	if (LOCAL_PATCH_COUNT > 0)
 	    printf("\n(with %d registered patch%s, see perl -V for more detail)",
@@ -2252,7 +2262,9 @@ sed %s -e \"/^[^#]/b\" \
 	    PL_statbuf.st_mode & (S_ISUID|S_ISGID))
 	{
 	    /* try again */
-	    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/sperl%s", BIN_EXP, PL_patchlevel), PL_origargv);
+	    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/sperl"PERL_FS_VER_FMT, BIN_EXP,
+				     (UV)PERL_REVISION, (UV)PERL_VERSION,
+				     (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION), PL_origargv);
 	    Perl_croak(aTHX_ "Can't do setuid\n");
 	}
 #endif
@@ -2499,7 +2511,9 @@ FIX YOUR KERNEL, PUT A C WRAPPER AROUND THIS SCRIPT, OR USE -u AND UNDUMP!\n");
 	    (void)PerlIO_close(PL_rsfp);
 #ifndef IAMSUID
 	    /* try again */
-	    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/sperl%s", BIN_EXP, PL_patchlevel), PL_origargv);
+	    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/sperl"PERL_FS_VER_FMT, BIN_EXP,
+				     (UV)PERL_REVISION, (UV)PERL_VERSION,
+				     (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION), PL_origargv);
 #endif
 	    Perl_croak(aTHX_ "Can't do setuid\n");
 	}
@@ -2581,7 +2595,9 @@ FIX YOUR KERNEL, PUT A C WRAPPER AROUND THIS SCRIPT, OR USE -u AND UNDUMP!\n");
 #if defined(HAS_FCNTL) && defined(F_SETFD)
     fcntl(PerlIO_fileno(PL_rsfp),F_SETFD,0);	/* ensure no close-on-exec */
 #endif
-    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/perl%s", BIN_EXP, PL_patchlevel), PL_origargv);/* try again */
+    PerlProc_execv(Perl_form(aTHX_ "%s/perl"PERL_FS_VER_FMT, BIN_EXP,
+			     (UV)PERL_REVISION, (UV)PERL_VERSION,
+			     (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION), PL_origargv);/* try again */
     Perl_croak(aTHX_ "Can't do setuid\n");
 #endif /* IAMSUID */
 #else /* !DOSUID */
@@ -2978,17 +2994,6 @@ S_incpush(pTHX_ char *p, int addsubdirs)
 
     if (addsubdirs) {
 	subdir = sv_newmortal();
-	if (!PL_archpat_auto) {
-	    STRLEN len = (sizeof(ARCHNAME) + strlen(PL_patchlevel)
-			  + sizeof("//auto"));
-	    New(55, PL_archpat_auto, len, char);
-	    sprintf(PL_archpat_auto, "/%s/%s/auto", ARCHNAME, PL_patchlevel);
-#ifdef VMS
-	for (len = sizeof(ARCHNAME) + 2;
-	     PL_archpat_auto[len] != '\0' && PL_archpat_auto[len] != '/'; len++)
-		if (PL_archpat_auto[len] == '.') PL_archpat_auto[len] = '_';
-#endif
-	}
     }
 
     /* Break at all separators */
@@ -3034,16 +3039,16 @@ S_incpush(pTHX_ char *p, int addsubdirs)
 			      SvPV(libdir,len));
 #endif
 	    /* .../archname/version if -d .../archname/version/auto */
-	    sv_setsv(subdir, libdir);
-	    sv_catpv(subdir, PL_archpat_auto);
+	    Perl_sv_setpvf(aTHX_ subdir, "%_/%s/"PERL_FS_VER_FMT"/auto", libdir,
+			   ARCHNAME, (UV)PERL_REVISION,
+			   (UV)PERL_VERSION, (UV)PERL_SUBVERSION);
 	    if (PerlLIO_stat(SvPVX(subdir), &tmpstatbuf) >= 0 &&
 		  S_ISDIR(tmpstatbuf.st_mode))
 		av_push(GvAVn(PL_incgv),
 			newSVpvn(SvPVX(subdir), SvCUR(subdir) - sizeof "auto"));
 
 	    /* .../archname if -d .../archname/auto */
-	    sv_insert(subdir, SvCUR(libdir) + sizeof(ARCHNAME),
-		      strlen(PL_patchlevel) + 1, "", 0);
+	    Perl_sv_setpvf(aTHX_ subdir, "%_/%s/auto", libdir, ARCHNAME);
 	    if (PerlLIO_stat(SvPVX(subdir), &tmpstatbuf) >= 0 &&
 		  S_ISDIR(tmpstatbuf.st_mode))
 		av_push(GvAVn(PL_incgv),
diff --git a/perl.h b/perl.h
index fb5409dd0e..98c6265fd0 100644
--- a/perl.h
+++ b/perl.h
@@ -1470,10 +1470,6 @@ typedef struct ptr_tbl PTR_TBL_t;
 #  define PERL_SYS_INIT3(argvp,argcp,envp) PERL_SYS_INIT(argvp,argcp)
 #endif
 
-#ifndef PERL_SYS_INIT3
-#  define PERL_SYS_INIT3(argvp,argcp,envp) PERL_SYS_INIT(argvp,argcp)
-#endif
-
 #ifndef MAXPATHLEN
 #  ifdef PATH_MAX
 #    ifdef _POSIX_PATH_MAX
@@ -1598,7 +1594,12 @@ typedef pthread_key_t	perl_key;
 #define PERL_EXIT_EXPECTED	0x01
 
 #ifndef MEMBER_TO_FPTR
-#define MEMBER_TO_FPTR(name)		name
+#  define MEMBER_TO_FPTR(name)		name
+#endif
+
+/* format to use for version numbers in file/directory names */
+#ifndef PERL_FS_VER_FMT
+#  define PERL_FS_VER_FMT	"%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf
 #endif
 
 /* This defines a way to flush all output buffers.  This may be a
@@ -2422,7 +2423,7 @@ enum {		/* pass one of these to get_vtbl */
 #define HINT_STRICT_REFS	0x00000002
 /* #define HINT_notused4	0x00000004 */
 #define HINT_UTF8		0x00000008
-/* #define HINT_notused10	0x00000010 */
+#define HINT_BYTE		0x00000010
 				/* Note: 20,40,80 used for NATIVE_HINTS */
 
 #define HINT_BLOCK_SCOPE	0x00000100
diff --git a/perlapi.c b/perlapi.c
index 3f52e8f734..49dfeb6ccc 100644
--- a/perlapi.c
+++ b/perlapi.c
@@ -3731,6 +3731,20 @@ Perl_sv_2pv(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
     return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pv(sv, lp);
 }
 
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvutf8
+char*
+Perl_sv_2pvutf8(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pvutf8(sv, lp);
+}
+
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvbyte
+char*
+Perl_sv_2pvbyte(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pvbyte(sv, lp);
+}
+
 #undef  Perl_sv_2uv
 UV
 Perl_sv_2uv(pTHXo_ SV* sv)
@@ -3766,6 +3780,20 @@ Perl_sv_pvn(pTHXo_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len)
     return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvn(sv, len);
 }
 
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8n
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvutf8n(pTHXo_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvutf8n(sv, len);
+}
+
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyten
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvbyten(pTHXo_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvbyten(sv, len);
+}
+
 #undef  Perl_sv_true
 I32
 Perl_sv_true(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
@@ -4044,6 +4072,20 @@ Perl_sv_pvn_force(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
     return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvn_force(sv, lp);
 }
 
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force(sv, lp);
+}
+
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyten_force
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvbyten_force(pTHXo_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvbyten_force(sv, lp);
+}
+
 #undef  Perl_sv_reftype
 char*
 Perl_sv_reftype(pTHXo_ SV* sv, int ob)
@@ -4803,6 +4845,20 @@ Perl_sv_2pv_nolen(pTHXo_ SV* sv)
     return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pv_nolen(sv);
 }
 
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen
+char*
+Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen(pTHXo_ SV* sv)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen(sv);
+}
+
+#undef  Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen
+char*
+Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen(pTHXo_ SV* sv)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen(sv);
+}
+
 #undef  Perl_sv_pv
 char*
 Perl_sv_pv(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
@@ -4810,6 +4866,20 @@ Perl_sv_pv(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
     return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pv(sv);
 }
 
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvutf8
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvutf8(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvutf8(sv);
+}
+
+#undef  Perl_sv_pvbyte
+char*
+Perl_sv_pvbyte(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
+{
+    return ((CPerlObj*)pPerl)->Perl_sv_pvbyte(sv);
+}
+
 #undef  Perl_sv_force_normal
 void
 Perl_sv_force_normal(pTHXo_ SV *sv)
diff --git a/pp_ctl.c b/pp_ctl.c
index f5a016fcdc..c028b4eca5 100644
--- a/pp_ctl.c
+++ b/pp_ctl.c
@@ -2834,10 +2834,54 @@ PP(pp_require)
     SV *filter_sub = 0;
 
     sv = POPs;
-    if (SvNIOKp(sv) && !SvPOKp(sv)) {
-	if (Atof(PL_patchlevel) + 0.00000999 < SvNV(sv))
-	    DIE(aTHX_ "Perl %s required--this is only version %s, stopped",
-		SvPV(sv,n_a),PL_patchlevel);
+    if (SvNIOKp(sv)) {
+	UV rev, ver, sver;
+	if (SvPOKp(sv) && SvUTF8(sv)) {		/* require v5.6.1 */
+	    I32 len;
+	    U8 *s = (U8*)SvPVX(sv);
+	    U8 *end = (U8*)SvPVX(sv) + SvCUR(sv);
+	    if (s < end) {
+		rev = utf8_to_uv(s, &len);
+		s += len;
+		if (s < end) {
+		    ver = utf8_to_uv(s, &len);
+		    s += len;
+		    if (s < end)
+			sver = utf8_to_uv(s, &len);
+		    else
+			sver = 0;
+		}
+		else
+		    ver = 0;
+	    }
+	    else
+		rev = 0;
+	    if (PERL_REVISION < rev
+		|| (PERL_REVISION == rev
+		    && (PERL_VERSION < ver
+			|| (PERL_VERSION == ver
+			    && PERL_SUBVERSION < sver))))
+	    {
+		DIE(aTHX_ "Perl v%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf" required--this is only version "
+		    "v%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf", stopped", rev, ver, sver, PERL_REVISION,
+		    PERL_VERSION, PERL_SUBVERSION);
+	    }
+	}
+	else if (!SvPOKp(sv)) {			/* require 5.005_03 */
+	    NV n = SvNV(sv);
+	    rev = (UV)n;
+	    ver = (UV)((n-rev)*1000);
+	    sver = (UV)((((n-rev)*1000 - ver) + 0.0009) * 1000);
+
+	    if ((NV)PERL_REVISION + ((NV)PERL_VERSION/(NV)1000)
+		+ ((NV)PERL_SUBVERSION/(NV)1000000)
+		+ 0.00000099 < SvNV(sv))
+	    {
+		DIE(aTHX_ "Perl v%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf" required--this is only version "
+		    "v%"UVuf".%"UVuf".%"UVuf", stopped", rev, ver, sver, PERL_REVISION,
+		    PERL_VERSION, PERL_SUBVERSION);
+	    }
+	}
 	RETPUSHYES;
     }
     name = SvPV(sv, len);
diff --git a/pp_hot.c b/pp_hot.c
index e83f0b84a5..a22ad06342 100644
--- a/pp_hot.c
+++ b/pp_hot.c
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 #include <sys/file.h>
 #endif
 
-#define HOP(pos,off) (IN_UTF8 ? utf8_hop(pos, off) : (pos + off))
 
 /* Hot code. */
 
diff --git a/proto.h b/proto.h
index b8c0199cca..0f33f87865 100644
--- a/proto.h
+++ b/proto.h
@@ -602,11 +602,15 @@ PERL_CALLCONV IV	Perl_sv_2iv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV SV*	Perl_sv_2mortal(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV NV	Perl_sv_2nv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_2pv(pTHX_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_2pvutf8(pTHX_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_2pvbyte(pTHX_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp);
 PERL_CALLCONV UV	Perl_sv_2uv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV IV	Perl_sv_iv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV UV	Perl_sv_uv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV NV	Perl_sv_nv(pTHX_ SV* sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvn(pTHX_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvutf8n(pTHX_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvbyten(pTHX_ SV *sv, STRLEN *len);
 PERL_CALLCONV I32	Perl_sv_true(pTHX_ SV *sv);
 PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_sv_add_arena(pTHX_ char* ptr, U32 size, U32 flags);
 PERL_CALLCONV int	Perl_sv_backoff(pTHX_ SV* sv);
@@ -681,6 +685,11 @@ PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_taint_proper(pTHX_ const char* f, const char* s);
 PERL_CALLCONV UV	Perl_to_utf8_lower(pTHX_ U8 *p);
 PERL_CALLCONV UV	Perl_to_utf8_upper(pTHX_ U8 *p);
 PERL_CALLCONV UV	Perl_to_utf8_title(pTHX_ U8 *p);
+PERL_CALLCONV STRLEN	Perl_sv_len_utf8(pTHX_ SV* sv);
+PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_sv_pos_u2b(pTHX_ SV* sv, I32* offsetp, I32* lenp);
+PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_sv_pos_b2u(pTHX_ SV* sv, I32* offsetp);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvutf8n_force(pTHX_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvbyten_force(pTHX_ SV* sv, STRLEN* lp);
 #if defined(UNLINK_ALL_VERSIONS)
 PERL_CALLCONV I32	Perl_unlnk(pTHX_ char* f);
 #endif
@@ -794,6 +803,10 @@ PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_ptr_table_store(pTHX_ PTR_TBL_t *tbl, void *oldsv, void
 PERL_CALLCONV void	Perl_ptr_table_split(pTHX_ PTR_TBL_t *tbl);
 #endif
 
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_2pvutf8_nolen(pTHX_ SV* sv);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_2pvbyte_nolen(pTHX_ SV* sv);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvutf8(pTHX_ SV *sv);
+PERL_CALLCONV char*	Perl_sv_pvbyte(pTHX_ SV *sv);
 #if defined(PERL_OBJECT)
 protected:
 #else
diff --git a/sv.c b/sv.c
index 7fa451455c..36f88c7e6f 100644
--- a/sv.c
+++ b/sv.c
@@ -2655,6 +2655,8 @@ Perl_sv_setsv(pTHX_ SV *dstr, register SV *sstr)
 	    *SvEND(dstr) = '\0';
 	    (void)SvPOK_only(dstr);
 	}
+	if (SvUTF8(sstr))
+	    SvUTF8_on(dstr);
 	/*SUPPRESS 560*/
 	if (sflags & SVp_NOK) {
 	    SvNOK_on(dstr);
@@ -6710,7 +6712,7 @@ perl_clone_using(PerlInterpreter *proto_perl, UV flags,
 
     /* switches */
     PL_minus_c		= proto_perl->Iminus_c;
-    Copy(proto_perl->Ipatchlevel, PL_patchlevel, 10, char);
+    PL_patchlevel	= sv_dup_inc(proto_perl->Ipatchlevel);
     PL_localpatches	= proto_perl->Ilocalpatches;
     PL_splitstr		= proto_perl->Isplitstr;
     PL_preprocess	= proto_perl->Ipreprocess;
@@ -6850,7 +6852,6 @@ perl_clone_using(PerlInterpreter *proto_perl, UV flags,
     /* more statics moved here */
     PL_generation	= proto_perl->Igeneration;
     PL_DBcv		= cv_dup(proto_perl->IDBcv);
-    PL_archpat_auto	= SAVEPV(proto_perl->Iarchpat_auto);
 
     PL_in_clean_objs	= proto_perl->Iin_clean_objs;
     PL_in_clean_all	= proto_perl->Iin_clean_all;
diff --git a/sv.h b/sv.h
index e9d6893e21..b6e819fff6 100644
--- a/sv.h
+++ b/sv.h
@@ -137,13 +137,16 @@ struct io {
 #define SVf_BREAK	0x00400000	/* refcnt is artificially low */
 #define SVf_READONLY	0x00800000	/* may not be modified */
 
-#define SVf_THINKFIRST	(SVf_READONLY|SVf_ROK|SVf_FAKE)
 
 #define SVp_IOK		0x01000000	/* has valid non-public integer value */
 #define SVp_NOK		0x02000000	/* has valid non-public numeric value */
 #define SVp_POK		0x04000000	/* has valid non-public pointer value */
 #define SVp_SCREAM	0x08000000	/* has been studied? */
 
+#define SVf_UTF8        0x20000000      /* SvPVX is UTF-8 encoded */
+
+#define SVf_THINKFIRST	(SVf_READONLY|SVf_ROK|SVf_FAKE|SVf_UTF8)
+
 #define SVf_OK		(SVf_IOK|SVf_NOK|SVf_POK|SVf_ROK| \
 			 SVp_IOK|SVp_NOK|SVp_POK)
 
@@ -155,6 +158,8 @@ struct io {
 
 #define SVpad_OUR	0x80000000	/* pad name is "our" instead of "my" */
 
+#define SVpad_OUR	0x80000000	/* pad name is "our" instead of "my" */
+
 #define SVf_IVisUV	0x80000000	/* use XPVUV instead of XPVIV */
 
 #define SVpfm_COMPILED	0x80000000	/* FORMLINE is compiled */
@@ -354,7 +359,7 @@ struct xpvio {
 				    SvFLAGS(sv) |= (SVf_IOK|SVp_IOK))
 #define SvIOK_only_UV(sv)	(SvOK_off_exc_UV(sv), \
 				    SvFLAGS(sv) |= (SVf_IOK|SVp_IOK))
- 
+
 #define SvIOK_UV(sv)		((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_IOK|SVf_IVisUV))	\
 				 == (SVf_IOK|SVf_IVisUV))
 #define SvIOK_notUV(sv)		((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_IOK|SVf_IVisUV))	\
@@ -370,6 +375,10 @@ struct xpvio {
 #define SvNOK_only(sv)		(SvOK_off(sv), \
 				    SvFLAGS(sv) |= (SVf_NOK|SVp_NOK))
 
+#define SvUTF8(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) & SVf_UTF8)
+#define SvUTF8_on(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) |= (SVf_UTF8))
+#define SvUTF8_off(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) &= ~(SVf_UTF8))
+
 #define SvPOK(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) & SVf_POK)
 #define SvPOK_on(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) |= (SVf_POK|SVp_POK))
 #define SvPOK_off(sv)		(SvFLAGS(sv) &= ~(SVf_POK|SVp_POK))
@@ -545,11 +554,26 @@ struct xpvio {
 #define SvPV_force(sv, lp) sv_pvn_force(sv, &lp)
 #define SvPV(sv, lp) sv_pvn(sv, &lp)
 #define SvPV_nolen(sv) sv_pv(sv)
+
+#define SvPVutf8_force(sv, lp) sv_pvutf8n_force(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVutf8(sv, lp) sv_pvutf8n(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVutf8_nolen(sv) sv_pvutf8(sv)
+
+#define SvPVbyte_force(sv, lp) sv_pvbyte_force(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVbyte(sv, lp) sv_pvbyten(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVbyte_nolen(sv) sv_pvbyte(sv)
+
+#define SvPVx(sv, lp) sv_pvn(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVx_force(sv, lp) sv_pvn_force(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVutf8x(sv, lp) sv_pvutf8n(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVutf8x_force(sv, lp) sv_pvutf8n_force(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVbytex(sv, lp) sv_pvbyten(sv, &lp)
+#define SvPVbytex_force(sv, lp) sv_pvbyten_force(sv, &lp)
+
 #define SvIVx(sv) sv_iv(sv)
 #define SvUVx(sv) sv_uv(sv)
 #define SvNVx(sv) sv_nv(sv)
-#define SvPVx(sv, lp) sv_pvn(sv, &lp)
-#define SvPVx_force(sv, lp) sv_pvn_force(sv, &lp)
+
 #define SvTRUEx(sv) sv_true(sv)
 
 #define SvIV(sv) SvIVx(sv)
@@ -572,7 +596,9 @@ struct xpvio {
 
 #undef SvPV
 #define SvPV(sv, lp) \
-    (SvPOK(sv) ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_2pv(sv, &lp))
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK)) == SVf_POK \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_2pv(sv, &lp))
+
 
 #undef SvPV_force
 #define SvPV_force(sv, lp) \
@@ -581,19 +607,70 @@ struct xpvio {
 
 #undef SvPV_nolen
 #define SvPV_nolen(sv) \
-    (SvPOK(sv) ? SvPVX(sv) : sv_2pv_nolen(sv))
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK)) == SVf_POK \
+     ? SvPVX(sv) : sv_2pv_nolen(sv))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8
+#define SvPVutf8(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_2pvutf8(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8_force
+#define SvPVutf8_force(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_THINKFIRST)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_pvutf8n_force(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8_nolen
+#define SvPVutf8_nolen(sv) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)\
+     ? SvPVX(sv) : sv_2pvutf8_nolen(sv))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8
+#define SvPVutf8(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_2pvutf8(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8_force
+#define SvPVutf8_force(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_THINKFIRST)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_pvutf8n_force(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVutf8_nolen
+#define SvPVutf8_nolen(sv) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)\
+     ? SvPVX(sv) : sv_2pvutf8_nolen(sv))
+
+#undef SvPVbyte
+#define SvPVbyte(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_2pvbyte(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVbyte_force
+#define SvPVbyte_force(sv, lp) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8|SVf_THINKFIRST)) == (SVf_POK) \
+     ? ((lp = SvCUR(sv)), SvPVX(sv)) : sv_pvbyte_force(sv, &lp))
+
+#undef SvPVbyte_nolen
+#define SvPVbyte_nolen(sv) \
+    ((SvFLAGS(sv) & (SVf_POK|SVf_UTF8)) == (SVf_POK)\
+     ? SvPVX(sv) : sv_2pvbyte_nolen(sv))
+
 
 #ifdef __GNUC__
 #  undef SvIVx
 #  undef SvUVx
 #  undef SvNVx
 #  undef SvPVx
+#  undef SvPVutf8x
+#  undef SvPVbytex
 #  undef SvTRUE
 #  undef SvTRUEx
 #  define SvIVx(sv) ({SV *nsv = (SV*)(sv); SvIV(nsv); })
 #  define SvUVx(sv) ({SV *nsv = (SV*)(sv); SvUV(nsv); })
 #  define SvNVx(sv) ({SV *nsv = (SV*)(sv); SvNV(nsv); })
 #  define SvPVx(sv, lp) ({SV *nsv = (sv); SvPV(nsv, lp); })
+#  define SvPVutf8x(sv, lp) ({SV *nsv = (sv); SvPVutf8(nsv, lp); })
+#  define SvPVbytex(sv, lp) ({SV *nsv = (sv); SvPVbyte(nsv, lp); })
 #  define SvTRUE(sv) (						\
     !sv								\
     ? 0								\
@@ -621,12 +698,16 @@ struct xpvio {
 #  undef SvUVx
 #  undef SvNVx
 #  undef SvPVx
+#  undef SvPVutf8x
+#  undef SvPVbytex
 #  undef SvTRUE
 #  undef SvTRUEx
 #  define SvIVx(sv) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvIV(PL_Sv))
 #  define SvUVx(sv) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvUV(PL_Sv))
 #  define SvNVx(sv) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvNV(PL_Sv))
 #  define SvPVx(sv, lp) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvPV(PL_Sv, lp))
+#  define SvPVutf8x(sv, lp) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvPVutf8(PL_Sv, lp))
+#  define SvPVbytex(sv, lp) ((PL_Sv = (sv)), SvPVbyte(PL_Sv, lp))
 #  define SvTRUE(sv) (						\
     !sv								\
     ? 0								\
diff --git a/t/comp/require.t b/t/comp/require.t
index 581dcba75c..d4c9d8ca61 100755
--- a/t/comp/require.t
+++ b/t/comp/require.t
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ BEGIN {
 
 # don't make this lexical
 $i = 1;
-print "1..4\n";
+print "1..16\n";
 
 sub do_require {
     %INC = ();
@@ -23,6 +23,56 @@ sub write_file {
     close REQ;
 }
 
+# new style version numbers
+
+eval { require v5.5.630; };
+print "# $@\nnot " if $@;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+eval { require v10.0.2; };
+print "# $@\nnot " unless $@ =~ /^Perl v10\.0\.2 required/;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+eval q{ use v5.5.630; };
+print "# $@\nnot " if $@;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+eval q{ use v10.0.2; };
+print "# $@\nnot " unless $@ =~ /^Perl v10\.0\.2 required/;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+my $ver = v5.5.630;
+eval { require $ver; };
+print "# $@\nnot " if $@;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+$ver = v10.0.2;
+eval { require $ver; };
+print "# $@\nnot " unless $@ =~ /^Perl v10\.0\.2 required/;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+print "not " unless v5.5.1 gt v5.5;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+print "not " unless 5.005_01 > v5.5;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+print "not " unless 5.005_64 - v5.5.640 < 0.0000001;
+print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+{
+    use utf8;
+    print "not " unless v5.5.640 eq "\x{5}\x{5}\x{280}";
+    print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+    print "not " unless v7.15 eq "\x{7}\x{f}";
+    print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+
+    print "not "
+      unless v1.20.300.4000.50000.600000 eq "\x{1}\x{14}\x{12c}\x{fa0}\x{c350}\x{927c0}";
+    print "ok ",$i++,"\n";
+}
+
 # interaction with pod (see the eof)
 write_file('bleah.pm', "print 'ok $i\n'; 1;\n");
 require "bleah.pm";
diff --git a/toke.c b/toke.c
index ff239a6743..035f06c020 100644
--- a/toke.c
+++ b/toke.c
@@ -803,13 +803,12 @@ S_force_version(pTHX_ char *s)
 
     s = skipspace(s);
 
-    /* default VERSION number -- GBARR */
-
-    if(isDIGIT(*s)) {
-        char *d;
-        int c;
-        for( d=s, c = 1; isDIGIT(*d) || *d == '_' || (*d == '.' && c--); d++);
-        if((*d == ';' || isSPACE(*d)) && *(skipspace(d)) != ',') {
+    if (isDIGIT(*s) || (*s == 'v' && isDIGIT(s[1]))) {
+        char *d = s;
+	if (*d == 'v')
+	    d++;
+        for (; isDIGIT(*d) || *d == '_' || *d == '.'; d++);
+        if ((*d == ';' || isSPACE(*d)) && *(skipspace(d)) != ',') {
             s = scan_num(s);
             /* real VERSION number -- GBARR */
             version = yylval.opval;
@@ -3399,6 +3398,19 @@ Perl_yylex(pTHX)
 	    no_op("Backslash",s);
 	OPERATOR(REFGEN);
 
+    case 'v':
+	if (isDIGIT(s[1]) && PL_expect == XTERM) {
+	    char *start = s;
+	    start++;
+	    start++;
+	    while (isDIGIT(*start))
+		start++;
+	    if (*start == '.' && isDIGIT(start[1])) {
+		s = scan_num(s);
+		TERM(THING);
+	    }
+	}
+	goto keylookup;
     case 'x':
 	if (isDIGIT(s[1]) && PL_expect == XOPERATOR) {
 	    s++;
@@ -3428,7 +3440,7 @@ Perl_yylex(pTHX)
     case 's': case 'S':
     case 't': case 'T':
     case 'u': case 'U':
-    case 'v': case 'V':
+	      case 'V':
     case 'w': case 'W':
 	      case 'X':
     case 'y': case 'Y':
@@ -4362,12 +4374,18 @@ Perl_yylex(pTHX)
 	    OLDLOP(OP_RETURN);
 
 	case KEY_require:
-	    *PL_tokenbuf = '\0';
-	    s = force_word(s,WORD,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE);
-	    if (isIDFIRST_lazy(PL_tokenbuf))
-		gv_stashpvn(PL_tokenbuf, strlen(PL_tokenbuf), TRUE);
-	    else if (*s == '<')
-		yyerror("<> should be quotes");
+	    s = skipspace(s);
+	    if (isDIGIT(*s) || (*s == 'v' && isDIGIT(s[1]))) {
+		s = force_version(s);
+	    }
+	    else {
+		*PL_tokenbuf = '\0';
+		s = force_word(s,WORD,TRUE,TRUE,FALSE);
+		if (isIDFIRST_lazy(PL_tokenbuf))
+		    gv_stashpvn(PL_tokenbuf, strlen(PL_tokenbuf), TRUE);
+		else if (*s == '<')
+		    yyerror("<> should be quotes");
+	    }
 	    UNI(OP_REQUIRE);
 
 	case KEY_reset:
@@ -4729,9 +4747,9 @@ Perl_yylex(pTHX)
 	    if (PL_expect != XSTATE)
 		yyerror("\"use\" not allowed in expression");
 	    s = skipspace(s);
-	    if(isDIGIT(*s)) {
+	    if (isDIGIT(*s) || (*s == 'v' && isDIGIT(s[1]))) {
 		s = force_version(s);
-		if(*s == ';' || (s = skipspace(s), *s == ';')) {
+		if (*s == ';' || (s = skipspace(s), *s == ';')) {
 		    PL_nextval[PL_nexttoke].opval = Nullop;
 		    force_next(WORD);
 		}
@@ -6506,7 +6524,7 @@ Perl_scan_num(pTHX_ char *start)
     register char *e;			/* end of temp buffer */
     IV tryiv;				/* used to see if it can be an IV */
     NV value;				/* number read, as a double */
-    SV *sv;				/* place to put the converted number */
+    SV *sv = Nullsv;			/* place to put the converted number */
     bool floatit;			/* boolean: int or float? */
     char *lastub = 0;			/* position of last underbar */
     static char number_too_long[] = "Number too long";
@@ -6518,8 +6536,7 @@ Perl_scan_num(pTHX_ char *start)
       Perl_croak(aTHX_ "panic: scan_num");
       
     /* if it starts with a 0, it could be an octal number, a decimal in
-       0.13 disguise, or a hexadecimal number, or a binary number.
-    */
+       0.13 disguise, or a hexadecimal number, or a binary number. */
     case '0':
 	{
 	  /* variables:
@@ -6781,11 +6798,61 @@ Perl_scan_num(pTHX_ char *start)
 			      (floatit ? "float" : "integer"),
 			      sv, Nullsv, NULL);
 	break;
+    /* if it starts with a v, it could be a version number */
+    case 'v':
+	{
+	    char *pos = s;
+	    pos++;
+	    while (isDIGIT(*pos))
+		pos++;
+	    if (*pos == '.' && isDIGIT(pos[1])) {
+		UV rev;
+		U8 tmpbuf[10];
+		U8 *tmpend;
+		NV nshift = 1.0;
+		s++;				/* get past 'v' */
+
+		sv = NEWSV(92,5);
+		SvUPGRADE(sv, SVt_PVNV);
+		sv_setpvn(sv, "", 0);
+
+		do {
+		    rev = atoi(s);
+		    s = ++pos;
+		    while (isDIGIT(*pos))
+			pos++;
+
+		    tmpend = uv_to_utf8(tmpbuf, rev);
+		    *tmpend = '\0';
+		    sv_catpvn(sv, tmpbuf, tmpend - tmpbuf);
+		    if (rev > 0)
+			SvNVX(sv) += (NV)rev/nshift;
+		    nshift *= 1000;
+		} while (*pos == '.' && isDIGIT(pos[1]));
+
+		rev = atoi(s);
+		s = pos;
+		tmpend = uv_to_utf8(tmpbuf, rev);
+		*tmpend = '\0';
+		sv_catpvn(sv, tmpbuf, tmpend - tmpbuf);
+		if (rev > 0)
+		    SvNVX(sv) += (NV)rev/nshift;
+
+		SvPOK_on(sv);
+		SvNOK_on(sv);
+		SvREADONLY_on(sv);
+		SvUTF8_on(sv);
+	    }
+	}
+	break;
     }
 
     /* make the op for the constant and return */
 
-    yylval.opval = newSVOP(OP_CONST, 0, sv);
+    if (sv)
+	yylval.opval = newSVOP(OP_CONST, 0, sv);
+    else
+	yylval.opval = Nullop;
 
     return s;
 }
diff --git a/utf8.h b/utf8.h
index 698c687c1c..e71264c35c 100644
--- a/utf8.h
+++ b/utf8.h
@@ -27,5 +27,6 @@ EXTCONST unsigned char PL_utf8skip[];
 END_EXTERN_C
 
 #define IN_UTF8 (PL_curcop->op_private & HINT_UTF8)
+#define IN_BYTE (PL_curcop->op_private & HINT_BYTE)
 
 #define UTF8SKIP(s) PL_utf8skip[*(U8*)s]