[Haskell-beginners] cabal question, asked in a foul mood

[Philippe Sismondi]

What exactly *is* a cabal package? I an not asking about the purpose of a package, but very literally: is it a single file? a set of files? a hierarchy of directories?

I apologize if this seems like a silly question. However, I have just read the first five pages of the cabal user's guide, and am none the wiser for it. That particular piece of documentation is in serious need of review by a good editor, to put it mildly.  I cannot read any further in it without losing my patience completely.

Thanks; sorry for the bit of ranting.

- Phil -