Re: [Caml-list] We need a rich standard library distributed with OCaml, really

[Alain Frisch <alain.frisch@lexifi.com>]

Hi,

I'd like to add to this discussion that (at least some part of) the core 
team considers that the standard library is an important component which 
deserves some (more) attention.  FWIW, Damien started recently some 
discussion on caml-devel on how to best organize such efforts.

The key property of the standard library is that it is distributed with 
the compiler, not that it must necessarily follow the same development 
model as the rest of the compiler.  Being distributed with the compiler 
has a number of consequences, such as guarantees in terms of stability, 
portability, and of course, ease of access and use (both technically and 
legally).

I don't think that the stdlib will/should be extended with many new 
functional perimeters (e.g. support for file formats, network protocols, 
or bindings to external systems are better left to external libraries). 
  But filling missing holes in existing modules, revisiting some design 
decisions (use of exceptions, labeled/optional arguments, etc), easing 
interactions between external libraries by agreeing on shared 
definitions, and perhaps adding a few widely useful new features are 
certainly desirable (and hopefully achievable) goals.


Alain