from Hacker News

Using Haskell at SQream Technologies

by Toshio on 9/30/13, 12:28 PM with 18 comments

• by thinkpad20 on 9/30/13, 7:39 PM

  Looks really interesting. I wrote an SQL parser and compiler frontend for a SQLite-style database last summer. I started off in C using Lex/Yacc, but for the last piece of the project I used Haskell. This step was to take SRA ("sugared relational algebra"), which is essentially a transition step between SQL and simple relational algebra, and desugar it into relational algebra. The code is up at https://github.com/thinkpad20/sql if anyone is interested, with the code for that portion being contained in the haskell folder. I might translate the whole thing into Haskell (maybe using Attoparsec) at some point.

  I was curious that you used a different version of relational algebra than the one I had been taught. I've usually seen RA described in terms of six fundamental operators: Project (pi), Select (sigma), Rename (rho), Cross Product, Union and Difference. What gave rise to the model you chose?

  Anyway, it's great to see that more people are using Haskell. I would love to be able to work in it some day.

• by Ixiaus on 9/30/13, 3:04 PM

  I think it is worth taking the risk to use a relatively unusual and unproven technology.

  should be:

  I think it is worth taking the risk to use a relatively unusual technology.

• by pnathan on 9/30/13, 4:18 PM

  Why is using Haskell a risk? It's not a proprietary system where the company might shut down.

• by raphinou on 9/30/13, 6:48 PM

  It would be interesting to know if the devs there are long time haskell developers, or if new hires could easily be trained in haskell.