Skandh Gupta

Skandh Gupta started this conversation 9 months ago.

What is the ecosystem for Haskell web development?

What is the ecosystem for Haskell web development, and what tools, frameworks, and libraries are commonly used by developers to build web applications using Haskell?

codecool

Posted 9 months ago

The ecosystem for Haskell web development is rich and diverse, offering a variety of tools, frameworks, and libraries to help developers build robust web applications. Here are some of the key components:

Frameworks:

  1. IHP (Integrated Haskell Platform):

    • A modern, batteries-included web framework that provides everything you need to build web applications out of the box.
    • Features include HSX (a JSX-like template language), live reloading, and type-safe SQL queries.
  2. Obelisk:

    • An opinionated framework for building production-ready web and mobile applications.
    • Includes GHCJS-based toolset for writing full-stack Reflex apps.
  3. Happstack:

    • A Haskell web framework designed for quick prototyping, easy deployment, scalability, and reliability.

Libraries:

  1. Warp:

    • A high-performance HTTP server library for Haskell.
    • Used for serving web applications built with frameworks like IHP and Happstack.
  2. Servant:

    • A framework for building RESTful APIs in Haskell.
    • Provides a type-safe way to define API endpoints.
  3. Aeson:

    • A JSON parsing and serialization library.
    • Widely used for handling JSON data in web applications.

Tools:

  1. GHC (Glasgow Haskell Compiler):

    • The primary compiler for Haskell, used to compile Haskell code into executable programs.
  2. Cabal:

    • A build system for Haskell projects.
    • Manages dependencies and builds Haskell packages.
  3. Stack:

    • A cross-platform program for developing Haskell projects.
    • Simplifies dependency management and project setup.

Deployment:

  1. NixOS:

    • A Linux distribution built on top of the Nix package manager.
    • Provides reproducible builds and easy deployment of Haskell applications.
  2. Heroku:

    • A cloud platform that supports Haskell applications.
    • Offers easy deployment and scaling options.

Community and Resources:

  1. Haskell Forums and Gitter:

    • Active communities where developers can seek help and share knowledge.
  2. HaskellWiki:

    • A comprehensive resource for information on Haskell web development.
  3. Documentation and Tutorials:

    • Many frameworks and libraries provide extensive documentation and tutorials to help developers get started.

The Haskell web development ecosystem is continuously evolving, with new tools and libraries being developed to support modern web development practices. Whether you're building a simple web app or a complex API, Haskell offers a robust set of tools to help you succeed.