Re: [Caml-list] Can one implement greedy/inline data structures in ocaml?

["Hezekiah M. Carty" <hez@0ok.org>]

On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 4:21 AM, Gabriel Scherer
<gabriel.scherer@gmail.com> wrote:
> I think this is a case of using a fancy new construction when a
> simpler construction would do just as well.
> For some reasons some people, even beginners, are absolutely fond of
> first-class modules, and insist on using them in situation where
> they're really not needed. I not eager to see what they will do with
> GADTs...
>
<useful code snippet removed>
>
> I think learning *not to use* fancy features is just as fun as using them.
>

To be fair, part of the process of learning when not to use fancy
features is using them, then discovering when these features made a
solution worse rather than better.  Polymorphic variants, the object
system, first class modules, GADTs - these all open up fun new ways to
approach problems.  They may not always be the 'best' tool for a
particular job, but not every implementation needs to be the 'best'.
When this learning and iteration process takes place on a public forum
other users get to learn from the experience as well.

With that said, suggestions for implementation simplifications are
important and fun to read too.

Hez