HaskellDirect - an IDL compiler for Haskell
A new release of HaskellDirect, version 0.15, is now available for
download (source + binaries.)
* What is it?
=============
HaskellDirect is an IDL compiler for Haskell, helping to bridge the
gap between Haskell programs and the outside world. Interfacing
Haskell code to libraries or components written in other languages
involves the conversion of values between the Haskell representations
of values and the representations expected externally. Using an
Interface Definition Language (IDL) as basis, HaskellDirect automates
the generation of such impedance matching code, leaving you to focus
on how to implement the Interesting Bits.
An IDL specification specifies the type signatures and types expected
by a set of external functions, and is programming language
neutral. One important use (but not the only!) of this language
neutral specification of interfaces is to specify COM (Microsoft's
Component Object Model) interfaces, and the HaskellDirect compiler
offers comprehensive support for both writing COM components and using
components from within Haskell.
The IDL compiler supports both the OSF DCE flavour of IDL and the
variant of IDL used by OMG CORBA/IIOP (but no support for writing
CORBA clients (or servers) in Haskell yet).
* What's new?
=============
Version 0.15 adds the following:
* Haskell COM component support (vtbl-based and Automation).
* Haskell library support - package up your Haskell code
and give it to your C, Java etc. friends to use.
* More comprehensive marshaling support (function types are now
handled).
* Support for creating COM type libraries as well as an improved
type library reader.
* native Hugs98 support.
* support for generating C header files from IDL specs.
* Extensions and bugfixes too numerous to mention ; consult
user documentation for details.
* Graphical user interface - desktop launcher (Win32 only).
* Wizardly generation of skeleton component implementations
(if you ask nicely.)
* a Y2K bug.
* More information
==================
Pointers to a downloadable distribution, documentation etc. is
now available via the HaskellDirect home page:
http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/fp/software/hdirect/
To compile up HaskellDirect from source you'll need to have GHC 4.03
(or later) installed on your machine. To use the generated output,
you'll either need GHC-4.03 or Hugs98 / HaskellScript.
* Bug reports/feedback
======================
Please send any bug reports or suggestions for how to improve
HaskellDirect to the Glasgow Haskell Bugs list:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Enjoy!
