[Haskell-cafe] data/newtype examples

[Olaf Klinke]

> Dear Cafe -
> 
> 
> I wanted a quick example (for teaching)
> that shows a difference between data and newtype.
> 
> What examples do you use?
> I'm interested both in simple ones,
> and confusing/obfuscated ones.

Perhaps on the obscure side: I like to play with different
implementations of Void. Let the students demonstrate that 

newtype Void = Void Void

contains only one element whereas

data Void = Void Void

contains infinitely many elements that can be distinguished by pattern
matching. Also consider data Void = Void !Void. Is this observably
different from the Void newtype? 
Since you will have to explain lifting, you can also demonstrate that(,) is not the categorical product. 

Olaf