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wtf is docker-haskell-platform?

zsol/docker-haskell-platform — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-12 · repo last pushed 2014-08-18

4Audience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · moderate

TL;DR

A Docker image that bundles the 2013 Haskell Platform, letting you start writing and running Haskell code instantly without installing anything on your computer.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Pre-packaged Haskell setup
      Runs inside Docker
      Avoids manual installs
    Flavors
      Plain version
      cabal-install version
    Use cases
      Learn Haskell
      Follow old tutorials
      Shared team setup
    Audience
      Students
      Developers
      Hobbyists
    Limitations
      Targets 2013 release
      Not for modern Haskell

Code map

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Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Follow an older Haskell tutorial without fighting with installation problems.

REASON 2

Give every team member the exact same Haskell environment for consistent results.

REASON 3

Safely experiment with Haskell on your laptop without permanently modifying your system.

REASON 4

Run or test legacy Haskell code that depends on the 2013 platform version.

What's in the stack?

DockerHaskellDockerfilecabal-install

How it stacks up

zsol/docker-haskell-platform0labs-in/vision-link3xhelix/rbdoom
Stars444
LanguageTypeScript
Last pushed2014-08-18
MaintenanceDormant
Setup difficultymoderatemoderatehard
Complexity2/53/53/5
Audiencedeveloperdeveloperops devops

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 5min

Requires Docker installed on your machine.

Wtf does this do

This project gives you a ready-to-use environment for Haskell, a programming language known for being mathematically precise and strongly typed. Instead of dealing with the headache of manually installing all the necessary tools and libraries on your own computer, you can use this to get a pre-packaged setup running almost instantly. It's essentially a digital shipping container that comes preloaded with everything you need to start writing and running Haskell code. It works by using Docker, a tool that bundles software into isolated, predictable units called "containers." This repository provides the instructions (called Dockerfiles) that tell Docker exactly how to download and set up a specific version of the Haskell platform. It offers two flavors: a "plain" version with the standard set of tools, and an updated version that includes a newer package manager called cabal-install, which helps you pull in extra code libraries that aren't included by default. This would be useful for a developer or a student who wants to learn Haskell without fighting with installation problems, or a team that needs to ensure everyone is working in the exact same software environment. For example, if you are following a tutorial written for an older version of Haskell, you can use this to instantly get a matching setup. If you just want to experiment with the language on your laptop without permanently modifying your system, this provides a safe, disposable sandbox. One notable thing about the project is its age. It specifically targets the 2013.2.0.0 release of the Haskell platform. While this makes it a great snapshot for running older code or following vintage tutorials, it is likely not the right choice if you want to build modern applications using the latest features of the language.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
How do I build and run the plain Docker image from this repository to start a Haskell REPL?
Prompt 2
What is the difference between the plain and cabal-install Dockerfiles, and which one should I use?
Prompt 3
I have an old Haskell tutorial that targets the 2013 platform. Show me how to use this Docker image to follow along step by step.
Prompt 4
How do I mount my local folder into this Haskell Docker container so I can edit code on my machine and run it inside the container?

Frequently asked questions

wtf is docker-haskell-platform?

A Docker image that bundles the 2013 Haskell Platform, letting you start writing and running Haskell code instantly without installing anything on your computer.

Is docker-haskell-platform actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2014-08-18).

How hard is docker-haskell-platform to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is docker-haskell-platform for?

Mainly developer.

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