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I did a couple small projects in OCaml and I loved the syntax and style of programming, but I think there would pretty much always be a better language choice f

by dlandis 11y ago

I did a couple small projects in OCaml and I loved the syntax and style of programming, but I think there would pretty much always be a better language choice for a serious project, regardless of what type of program you are writing. Also, the standard library leaves a lot to be desired and parts of the ecosystem (e.g. docs, and OPAM) are pretty rough. The standard library has a lot of gaps so you end up implementing a lot of low-level functions that will seem tedious and inefficient if you are coming from a more mainstream language with a rich ecosystem. Using the Jane Street's Core library helps a little bit but still leaves a lot of gaps. It's still a fun language though, but I don't think there would be a compelling reason to choose it nowadays for a new project.

mwcampbell 11y ago
> there would pretty much always be a better language choice for a serious project The Mirage library OS is a pretty serious project. Facebook also uses OCaml for Flow and the Hack type checker. And of course, Jane Street Capital uses OCaml. But I'm guessing what you mean is that OCaml is a very non-mainstream language, so it will be rejected for most corporate projects just because it's so foreign.
- dlandis 11y ago
  > But I'm guessing what you mean is that OCaml is a very non-mainstream language, so it will be rejected for most corporate projects just because it's so foreign. Rather than snidely guessing what I meant, why not just read the rest of my comment or ask for clarification like an adult? Also, I'm not denying there are a few odd projects here and there that use it successfully -- as well as Jane Street, of course, who are almost synonymous with OCaml. But like I said, although it is a very nice (and educational) language, I just don't feel like it is "best of breed" in any particular area. Not sure what that has to do "corporate projects", etc.
  - mwcampbell 11y ago
    > Rather than snidely guessing what I meant, why not just read the rest of my comment or ask for clarification like an adult? You're right; I'm sorry.

by dlandis 11y ago

mwcampbell 11y ago

> there would pretty much always be a better language choice for a serious project The Mirage library OS is a pretty serious project. Facebook also uses OCaml for Flow and the Hack type checker. And of course, Jane Street Capital uses OCaml. But I'm guessing what you mean is that OCaml is a very non-mainstream language, so it will be rejected for most corporate projects just because it's so foreign.

dlandis 11y ago
> But I'm guessing what you mean is that OCaml is a very non-mainstream language, so it will be rejected for most corporate projects just because it's so foreign. Rather than snidely guessing what I meant, why not just read the rest of my comment or ask for clarification like an adult? Also, I'm not denying there are a few odd projects here and there that use it successfully -- as well as Jane Street, of course, who are almost synonymous with OCaml. But like I said, although it is a very nice (and educational) language, I just don't feel like it is "best of breed" in any particular area. Not sure what that has to do "corporate projects", etc.
- mwcampbell 11y ago
  > Rather than snidely guessing what I meant, why not just read the rest of my comment or ask for clarification like an adult? You're right; I'm sorry.