haskell / haskell/haskell-mode
Find alternative to parsing GHCi output
- Dominant language
- Emacs Lisp
- Stars
- 1.4k
- Forks
- 354
- Avg merge
- 5d 10h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 2
Description
Currently `haskell-mode` seems to rely on a pile of rather fragile regular expressions for getting information out of GHCi. However, GHCi is not intended to be a language server; rather, it is a REPL for use by humans. As such, the GHC developers reserve the right to change output freely to improve `ghci`'s usability for its intended purpose.
Unfortunately, when we exercise that right we end up with situations like #1553. The solution is here is clear: let's define a machine-readable interface. Perhaps it will be part of `ghci` or perhaps not. But let's begin the discussion. What does `haskell-mode` need out of GHCi to work robustly and avoid parsing-by-way-of-regular-expression?
In the case of #1553 I have introduced a flag reverting the output to the previous behavior. However, be aware that I would like to deprecate this flag soon; let's starting feeling out alternatives so I can do that.
Contributor guide
Assessment
This issue has not been assessed yet.