26 Nov
2002
26 Nov
'02
2:43 a.m.
Alastair Reid
3) By having a single file (the package description file) containing a single copy of all the information needed by any compiler, we might make it easier to maintain libraries such that they 'just work' on all compilers instead of requiring the writer or interested parties to maintain multiple copies of what is, essentially, the same information.
Obviously, the 3rd reason is the one of most relevance to this thread.
Indeed, the idea of being able to just install a package for ghc, nhc or hugs and use it sounds very attractive indeed. Jens