"For high-performance computing you want to avoid such software engineering abstractions as classes, objects, etc...."
Therefore, I would say, since Haskell makes possible many fine-levels of abstraction, if the compiler can strip most of these away, then it would come close to the speed of C (i.e. C++ without most of the software engineering abstractions).
Still, I remember that quote that, "Another level of indirection solves everything."
Or
If you're Penn & Teller, "Another level of misdirection solves everything."
Casey
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Regards,
KC