Questions about my findings about versioning, dependencies and breakages on Hackage
Hi! I’m currently wrapping up my master’s thesis, which is about dependencies and breakages on Hackage. In short, I’m analyzing all packages released onto Hackage during a certain window (currently the first quarter of 2025). I’m using the Hackage package index and the Hackage API to collect metadata. I’m using print-api[1] to attempt to detect breaking API changes between these releases and their predecessors. I’m using HIE DB[2] to identify which symbols are actually being used by reverse dependencies. My goal is to investigate versioning and dependency constraint practices, as well as package breakages. I’m now at a point where I would like to evaluate my findings with experts in the Haskell community (such as experienced developers and package maintainers). If you could spare a bit of time I would love to hear your thoughts on my work. I’m thinking the questions could be sent via email, but if you prefer a call we could do that as well. You will be anonymous when any data is presented. Thank you for whatever you can do! All the best, Jon [1]: https://github.com/Kleidukos/print-api [2]: https://github.com/haskell/HieDb
Hello Jon, this sounds like an interesting and important project! Are you already aware of the Stability Working Group[1]? I'm sure they would be interested in your project, and may be able to help you find Haskell developers to interview. Tom [1] https://github.com/haskellfoundation/stability On Mon, May 04, 2026 at 12:44:15PM +0200, Jon Kristensen wrote:
Hi!
I’m currently wrapping up my master’s thesis, which is about dependencies and breakages on Hackage.
In short, I’m analyzing all packages released onto Hackage during a certain window (currently the first quarter of 2025).
I’m using the Hackage package index and the Hackage API to collect metadata. I’m using print-api[1] to attempt to detect breaking API changes between these releases and their predecessors. I’m using HIE DB[2] to identify which symbols are actually being used by reverse dependencies.
My goal is to investigate versioning and dependency constraint practices, as well as package breakages.
I’m now at a point where I would like to evaluate my findings with experts in the Haskell community (such as experienced developers and package maintainers). If you could spare a bit of time I would love to hear your thoughts on my work. I’m thinking the questions could be sent via email, but if you prefer a call we could do that as well. You will be anonymous when any data is presented.
Thank you for whatever you can do!
All the best, Jon
[1]: https://github.com/Kleidukos/print-api [2]: https://github.com/haskell/HieDb
Hi Jon, the packdiff tool (https://github.com/composewell/packdiff) may be useful to find the diff, signature changes in APIs across versions. Raise an issue in the repo for any questions or anything you need for your use case. -harendra On Mon, 4 May 2026 at 17:33, Tom Ellis < tom-lists-haskell-cafe-2026@jaguarpaw.co.uk> wrote:
Hello Jon, this sounds like an interesting and important project!
Are you already aware of the Stability Working Group[1]? I'm sure they would be interested in your project, and may be able to help you find Haskell developers to interview.
Tom
[1] https://github.com/haskellfoundation/stability
Hi!
I’m currently wrapping up my master’s thesis, which is about dependencies and breakages on Hackage.
In short, I’m analyzing all packages released onto Hackage during a certain window (currently the first quarter of 2025).
I’m using the Hackage package index and the Hackage API to collect
I’m using print-api[1] to attempt to detect breaking API changes between
I’m using HIE DB[2] to identify which symbols are actually being used by reverse dependencies.
My goal is to investigate versioning and dependency constraint
On Mon, May 04, 2026 at 12:44:15PM +0200, Jon Kristensen wrote: metadata. these releases and their predecessors. practices, as well as package breakages.
I’m now at a point where I would like to evaluate my findings with
experts in the Haskell community (such as experienced developers and package maintainers). If you could spare a bit of time I would love to hear your thoughts on my work. I’m thinking the questions could be sent via email, but if you prefer a call we could do that as well. You will be anonymous when any data is presented.
Thank you for whatever you can do!
All the best, Jon
[1]: https://github.com/Kleidukos/print-api [2]: https://github.com/haskell/HieDb
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participants (3)
-
Harendra Kumar -
Jon Kristensen -
Tom Ellis