“ghcup” is a Haskell toolchain installer that provides a convenient way to install, manage, and update Haskell toolchains on your system. It is designed to simplify the process of setting up and maintaining a Haskell development environment.
Here are the key features and functionalities of ghcup:
- Toolchain Installation: ghcup allows you to install various Haskell toolchains, including GHC (Glasgow Haskell Compiler), Cabal (build tool and package manager), and Stack (a popular Haskell build tool). It automatically fetches the necessary files and dependencies from official sources, making it easy to get started with Haskell development.
- Version Management: ghcup enables you to manage multiple versions of Haskell toolchains on your system. You can install different versions of GHC, Cabal, and Stack side by side and switch between them as needed. This flexibility is particularly useful when working on projects that require specific versions of Haskell toolchains.
- Update Management: ghcup provides a simple way to update your installed Haskell toolchains to the latest available versions. It keeps track of updates and notifies you when new versions are released. With a single command, you can update GHC, Cabal, and Stack to benefit from bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
- Global and Local Configuration: ghcup allows you to configure global settings for your Haskell toolchains, such as default versions and installation directories. Additionally, you can set project-specific toolchain configurations using local configuration files, ensuring consistent development environments across different projects.
- Dependency Resolution: ghcup assists in managing Haskell package dependencies by integrating with Cabal and Stack. It ensures that the installed toolchains are compatible with the required package versions specified in your Haskell projects. This helps avoid conflicts and simplifies the process of managing project dependencies.
- Cross-Platform Support: ghcup is designed to work on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and various Unix-like systems. It provides consistent installation and management experiences across different operating systems, making it accessible to a wide range of Haskell developers.
- Community Support: ghcup is supported by the Haskell community and is widely used by Haskell developers for managing their toolchains. It benefits from ongoing development, maintenance, and community-driven improvements, ensuring a reliable and up-to-date tool for Haskell development.
ghcup Command Examples
1. Start the interactive TUI:
# ghcup tui
2. List available GHC/cabal versions:
# ghcup list
3. Install the recommended GHC version:
# ghcup install ghc
4. Install a specific GHC version:
# ghcup install ghc version
5. Set the currently “active” GHC version:
# ghcup set ghc version
6. Install cabal-install:
# ghcup install cabal
7. Update ghcup itself:
# ghcup upgrade
Summary
Overall, ghcup simplifies the process of installing, managing, and updating Haskell toolchains, allowing developers to focus on their Haskell projects rather than dealing with the complexities of toolchain management. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Haskell developer, ghcup provides a convenient and reliable solution for setting up and maintaining a Haskell development environment.