Re: GHC/Hugs Status (was Re: simple interface to web?)

[Simon L Peyton Jones]

> More generally, regardless of the standards process, it feels like the
> GHC, Hugs define the de facto Haskell standard (it doesn't look like HBC
> is still in progress but I could be wrong).  As such, it seems tough to
> write libraries right now as the upcoming GHC/Hugs release will contain
> features that strongly affect library design:
> 
> So I guess my question is how close is this new release? 

For these

> * multi-parameter type classes
> * existential types
> * exceptions
> * mutually recursive import [GHC does this ok]

we'll have a shiny new GHC beta release before ICFP (end Sept).
(I.e. it's pretty much working now.)  Don't know about Hugs.

For these

> * require/ensure/invariant assertions (my optimism)

We need an agreed design first.  Your point about putting
asertions in type signatures makes me think that maybe assertions
would be premature for Std Haskell.

> * module signatures/dynamic linking
> * dynamic linking (serialization/persistence?)

I'm hazy about what you have in mind here.

Simon