[Haskell-cafe] When did it become so hard to install Haskell on Windows?

[Karel Gardas]

Pedro,

what about if you do this:

1) install WSL(2) from Windows store. Read
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10 -- err,
contains PowerShell command. :-)

2) start WSL

3) type following commands in WSL prompt:

  $ sudo apt update
  $ sudo apt upgrade
  $ sudo apt install ghc cabal-install

And viola you do have GHC installed on your Windows box, although it's
not possible to create pure windows binaries since it is technically
speaking running inside the Linux (Ubuntu).

Anyway, filesystem is shared so students may be able to use whatever
flashy editor is available for Windows and yet compile with installed GHC.

Honestly speaking PowerShell is one of the brightest Windows features.
When I dig into it last year I've been surprised how well this is
integrated with Windows. Now I'm even more surprised that someone (Ben
mentioned Tamar) from GHC community was able to make GHC install process
working with PowerShell. This is simply great!

Yes, I agree, if you are used to download installer, run it, click OK
button numerous times, then this is not what you are used to, but on the
other hand I believe that anybody even remotely considering *using*
Haskell is able to install it on his/her box. Anybody.

Cheers,
Karel

On 4/25/20 5:22 AM, José Pedro Magalhães wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I haven't used Haskell in my personal computer in a while. I decided to
> install it again. I used the Haskell Platform in the past, so I went for
> that again - and a quick Google search on "install haskell windows"
> brings up the HP page, so I thought I was on the right track.
> 
> At the HP page for Windows, I'm greeted with this:
> image.png
> 
> In the past I'd just download an installer which would take care of
> things - now it seems to be more complicated. But fine, I followed the
> link to configure Chocolatey. That's where it starts getting really scary:
> image.png
> 
> First, I have to subscribe to a newsletter? Really? I guess this is
> entirely optional, but the instructions don't make it sound so. Then I
> have to know what powershell.exe is, use an administrative prompt, and
> enter scary commands in it.
> 
> I gave up at this stage. But going back to the HP page, it appears that
> even this wouldn't be enough, because I would still need to follow "the
> instructions at haskellstack.org <http://haskellstack.org> to install
> stack". The link to haskellstack.org <http://haskellstack.org> takes me
> to a 403 Forbidden <https://docs.haskellstack.org/en/stable/README/>.
> 
> I honestly don't want this to sound like a rant. I genuinely would like
> to understand why this multi-step, multi-tool, multi-website process was
> introduced, how it is superior to a single installer, and whether this
> is really the process we want newcomers to the language have to follow.
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Pedro
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Haskell-Cafe mailing list
> To (un)subscribe, modify options or view archives go to:
> http://mail.haskell.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/haskell-cafe
> Only members subscribed via the mailman list are allowed to post.
>