Re: Type classes and code generation

(Moved to the Cafe)

Yes, exactly. Every class is translated to a data type declaration, and every instance is translated to an element of that data type - a dictionary. (Note that you can't actually write those declarations in Haskell 98 in general, because they can have polymorphic fields; but this is a simple extension to the language).

Keith, could you elaborate on this parenthetical? Under what circumstances can you not create the dictionary datatype for a class in Haskell 98 (where the class itself is H98 :P)? - Hal