Why not Dhall? #57

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opened 2025-12-30 01:20:11 +01:00 by adam · 2 comments
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Originally created by @jjant on GitHub (Feb 11, 2024).

I did read your comparison, but I still don't understand why you guys needed to create a new language, it sounds like if ease of use within the JVM is primarily what drove this, you could've made a JVM-based toolchain for Dhall instead.

Originally created by @jjant on GitHub (Feb 11, 2024). I did read your [comparison](https://github.com/apple/pkl/blob/db55c527c651643649cf55acda6ef5c143d0a664/docs/modules/introduction/pages/comparison.adoc#pkl-vs-other-config-languages), but I still don't understand why you guys needed to create a new language, it sounds like if ease of use within the JVM is primarily what drove this, you could've made a JVM-based toolchain for Dhall instead.
adam closed this issue 2025-12-30 01:20:11 +01:00
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@sondr3 commented on GitHub (Feb 13, 2024):

I have used Dhall quite a bit and like the idea of it much more than the actual experience of using it. It's also very alien for developers who do not come from a functional background and requires much more investment to understand how it works or how to use it well. Dhall is also only maintained as a Haskell package, both the Rust and Java bindings are unmaintained whereas Pkl comes out the gate swinging with JVM/Go/Swift support. I adore the idea behind Dhall, but would not recommend it to anyone except FP people who use Haskell or to experiment with a total programming language.

@sondr3 commented on GitHub (Feb 13, 2024): I have used Dhall quite a bit and like the idea of it much more than the actual experience of using it. It's also very alien for developers who do not come from a functional background and requires much more investment to understand how it works or how to use it well. Dhall is also only maintained as a Haskell package, both the Rust and Java bindings are unmaintained whereas Pkl comes out the gate swinging with JVM/Go/Swift support. I adore the idea behind Dhall, but would not recommend it to anyone except FP people who use Haskell or to experiment with a total programming language.
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@holzensp commented on GitHub (Feb 13, 2024):

I come from a Haskell background, so I really appreciate Dhall, but I've also learned that a lot of people don't have/want that functional perspective. Dhall wasn't where it is today when development on Pkl started and Pkl focussed on meeting its users where they are.

I'm closing this Issue, because the question doesn't allow for a definition of "done," but if you feel your question isn't yet answered to satisfaction, feel free to open a Discussion thread.

@holzensp commented on GitHub (Feb 13, 2024): I come from a Haskell background, so I really appreciate Dhall, but I've also learned that _a lot_ of people don't have/want that functional perspective. Dhall wasn't where it is today when development on Pkl started _and_ Pkl focussed on meeting its users where they are. I'm closing this _Issue_, because the question doesn't allow for a definition of "done," but if you feel your question isn't yet answered to satisfaction, feel free to open a Discussion thread.
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Reference: starred/pkl#57