Re: [Caml-list] general question, was Re: OCaml is broken

[Dario Teixeira <darioteixeira@yahoo.com>]

Hi,

> i dont want to go into a which-programming-language-is-best-for-what
> discussion (as this will never end), but at this point i wanted to know
> if ocaml is still alive, i.e. if you can still easily download and
> install it on a variety of OS, and if it will be supported in the future.

The fact that the compiler's source code is (a) available, and (b)
straightforward enough for mere mortals to understand should give you
some assurances that Ocaml can never die by fiat.  Moreover, there's
a vibrant community around it, both in industry and in the open-source
world.  (Ocaml support in Debian and Fedora is top-notch, for example).
Last but not least, Ocaml plays a central role in multiple INRIA
projects, which means its creators have all the reason to continue
maintaining it and improving it for the foreseeable future (and there's
some interesting goodies in the upcoming 3.12 release, for example).

Though I am grateful and acknowledge Jon Harrop's help in the beginner's
list, you should take his prognostications with a grain of salt.  Every
now and again he proclaims that "Ocaml is doomed! We're all gonna die!".
It has almost become a comedy catchphrase of sorts in this list...

So yes, do choose Ocaml for your project.  You won't regret it.

Best regards,
Dario Teixeira