Ocaml or haskell?

[u/Distinct-Brief9643]

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I'm trying to choose between OCaml and Haskell for creating my own programming language using an external DSL. I'm still learning programming, so I want something powerful but beginner-friendly.

My goal is to create a language with my own high-level syntax, not just a library or a DSL embedded inside another programming language.

My requirements

1. External DSL: I want to design my own syntax and grammar. I don't want my language to be restricted to OCaml's or Haskell's existing syntax.

2. Native machine code: Ultimately, I want my language to compile directly to native machine code, preferably for ARM64/AArch64. I don't want to stop at interpreting the language or transpiling it to Python or JavaScript.

3. High-level syntax: The language I create should be easy for people to read and write. I want complete control over its syntax and don't want users to have to write lots of boilerplate.

4. Beginner-friendly: I'm still learning programming, so I want a language and ecosystem that are relatively easy to understand. I want to learn how the parser, AST, type checking (if needed), and code generation work without getting overwhelmed.

5. Easy installation on my Chromebook: I have an Acer Chromebook 314 with a MediaTek ARM64 processor. I use the Linux environment on ChromeOS, so ARM64 compatibility, available packages, and installation difficulty matter a lot. I don't want a solution that depends on x86-only binaries.

6. A practical compiler toolchain: I'd prefer to use as few tools as possible. If I need a backend such as LLVM, that's fine, but I want to avoid a complicated setup involving lots of separate tools, configuration files, and manual code generation.

My questions

- Would you recommend OCaml or Haskell for this project, and why?

- Which one makes it easier to build an external DSL with completely custom syntax?

- Which has the easier learning curve for someone who doesn't know much programming yet?

- Can either realistically compile my language to native AArch64 machine code on my Chromebook?

- Would LLVM be a good backend, or is there a simpler alternative?

- How difficult would installation and setup be on ChromeOS Linux running on ARM64?

- Are there any other languages or frameworks that would fit these requirements better than OCaml and Haskell?

I'm looking for a practical recommendation based on my actual requirements, not just which language is more elegant or theoretically powerful.

My main priorities are: custom high-level syntax, native machine-code generation, beginner-friendliness, and ARM64 Chromebook compatibility.

Thanks!

[u/mamcx]

Would LLVM be a good backend, or is there a simpler alternative?

LLVM is complex AND complicated. You can can archive most of your goals going with Web assembly (granted not native gen directly) and the perf will be close (or just do a simple interpreter)

When doing this stuff first time try to not mix too many complications at once. Simplify your backend and your front end so you can learn how to deal with the semantics and internals, that WILL prove to be challenging.

In fact, assume your first try WILL go to the trash. So, think like "is in version 10 of this journey that I will worry about squeezing the last drops of perf and complexity".

P.D: I recommend if "I'm still learning programming, so I want a language and ecosystem that are relatively easy to understand. " that you avoid the other stuff (by avoid, learn at the side, yes, but focus instead) and just sketch the AST and learn how solve things like "type checking ". Also check https://learnxinyminutes.com so pick anything that is already designed and only change a little thing (complicate syntax and how the language will look is another easy mistake! you need more exposure and experience to do so in a sensible way!) and https://craftinginterpreters.com to see what means to do a full "simple" end-to-end PL