How to do package management? (programming.dev)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by SinTan1729@programming.dev to c/haskell@programming.dev

3 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi, I'm a beginner when it comes to Haskell, but I guess I'm somewhat comfortable with the language itself. I'd love to try building some stuff using it. However, I'm finding it very hard to properly use external libraries/packages.

I'm familiar with Rust's cargo, and go's package management system, and feel very comfortable using them. Are there similar ones for Haskell? Basically, I want them defined per project, and not have to install everything system-wide. I'd like to be able to provide users with simple instructions for replicating the whole build setup.

What's the idiomatic way? Are there any example packages that I can look at that are not too complicated?

all 5 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] thestrike 4 points 3 months ago

The ones I have seen that are per-project are stack and nix, and cabal is used for system-wide

[-] aka_dude@mk.phreedom.club 2 points 3 months ago

@SinTan1729@programming.dev try stack. take latest LTS snapshot from stackage. use package.yaml, don't write *.cabal files by hand. that should be it, the rest will be cargo-like experience
you can tag me/dm me if you have issues

[-] Noughtmare@programming.dev 2 points 3 months ago

Cabal is more than sufficient for my purposes nowadays. I'd recommend reading their Getting Started page:

https://cabal.readthedocs.io/en/3.10/getting-started.html

That gives an overview of the basic functions and for example how to add new dependencies.

For setting up the entire toolchain, I'd also recommend GHCUp's first steps guide:

https://www.haskell.org/ghcup/steps/

this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2026

5 points (100.0% liked)

Haskell

644 readers

1 users here now

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

haskman@programming.dev