Hans Aberg wrote:
There are two processes here: deriving, i.e., inheriting an interface;
and instantiating, i.e., producing running code. Haskell denotes
derivation by "=>". And "data <a> deriving (b_1, ..., b_k)" is really a
short for
data <a>
instance b_1 where <compiler implementation>
...
instance b_k where <compiler implementation>
So "instance" seems the word that should have been used.
How about making "deriving x" an expression which means:
instance x where <compiler implementation>
This innovative solution will minimize changes to the Haskell compiler,
documentation, and programmer's brains.
Seriously, there's only so much connotational meaning you can pack into
or extract from a keyword. Ultimately, programming language keywords
follow the rule given by Humpty Dumpty:
"When _I_ use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither
more nor less."
Anton
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