Re: [Caml-list] <DKIM> Re: Status of Flambda in OCaml 4.03

[Jesper Louis Andersen <jesper.louis.andersen@gmail.com>]

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On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 3:48 PM, Yotam Barnoy <yotambarnoy@gmail.com> wrote:

> Another question: how will 4.03 be handled with regard to OPAM? The way I
> see it, the majority of users will want Flambda activated by default.
> Companies or individuals that depend on OCaml for their business will
> probably want to start off with Flambda turned off, and turn it on as
> needed. Additionally, to get Flambda tested by as many people as possible,
> I believe we want people to use it by default.


One of the (many) things I think is done right in OPAM is the `opam switch
...` framework, so you can have multiple compilers installed easily and
handle them on a simple switching framework.

Operationally, I'd put it on an Ocaml 4.03+flambda and then in
point-release .1 or .2 I'd make it the default once it has seen some use by
the early adopters, having an ocaml 4.03+no-flambda option for those who
are behind on schedule. This would allow people to gracefully roll forward
one release, and gracefully roll backward once the switch happens which
lessens the strain on a lot of stuff operationally.

The more risky alternative is to just make flambda the default in 4.03 and
have a no-flambda option for those in the know, but this risks introducing
regressions at a greater extent and should be balanced by the knowledge of
how stable flambda has proven to be. If, for instance, it has seen major
use inside Janes St. for some time and has been generally stable, this is a
far more viable option.



-- 
J.

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