Raku, formerly known as Perl 6, is a modern programming language that originated as a redesign of Perl. Although initially intended to be Perl's successor, Raku evolved into a distinct language with its own syntax and features, focusing on clarity, flexibility, and support for multiple programming paradigms. Its development led to a split in the community, with Raku and Perl now maintained as separate languages. Raku is used for a variety of tasks, including scripting, data processing, and rapid application development.