>> hmmm... python had taught me that "battery included" means that out of the package i find a web server, drivers for at least one database server, graphics li

>> hmmm... python had taught me that "battery included" means that out of the package i find a web server, drivers for at least one database server, graphics libraries... a compiler and a lexer aren't what i call "batteries". The Haskell platform is pretty much the batteries what you want. It includes CGI for web, HTTP for making http requests, regexes, GLUT+OpenGL for Graphics, even a wrapper for Win32. And my favorite: the Parsec parser combinator library. What's missing from your list is the database library and a web server, if cgi doens't fit you. But they're just one "cabal install" away, and there's plenty more in there, like Web App frameworks, etc.