Contributing to the Glasgow Haskell Compiler ============================================ So you've decided to hack on GHC, congratulations! We hope you have a rewarding experience. This file will point you in the direction of information to help you get started right away. The GHC Developer's Wiki ======================== The home for GHC hackers is our GitLab instance, located here: From here, you can file bugs (or look them up), use the wiki, view the `git` history, among other things. Of particular note is the building page, which has the high level overview of the build process and how to get the source: Contributing patches to GHC in a hurry ====================================== Make sure your system has the necessary tools to compile GHC. You can find an overview here: Next, clone the repository and all the associated libraries: ``` $ git clone --recursive git@gitlab.haskell.org:ghc/ghc.git ``` On Windows, you need an extra repository containing some build tools. These can be downloaded for you by `configure`. This only needs to be done once by running: ``` $ ./configure --enable-tarballs-autodownload ``` First copy `mk/build.mk.sample` to `mk/build.mk` and ensure it has your preferred build settings. (You probably want to at least set `BuildFlavour` to `quick`): ``` $ cp mk/build.mk.sample mk/build.mk $ ... double-check mk/build.mk ... ``` Now build. The convenient `validate` script will build the tree in a way which is both quick to build and consistent with our testsuite: ``` $ ./validate --build-only ``` You can use the `_validatebuild/stage1/bin/ghc` binary to play with the newly built compiler. Now, hack on your copy and rebuild (with `make`) as necessary. Then start by making your commits however you want. When you're done, you can submit a pull request on Github for small changes. For larger changes the patch needs to be submitted to [GitLab](https://gitlab.haskell.org/ghc/ghc/merge_requests) for code review. The GHC Wiki has a good summary for the [overall process](https://gitlab.haskell.org/ghc/ghc/wikis/working-conventions/fixing-bugs). One or several reviewers will review your PR, and when they are ok with your changes, they will assign the PR to [Marge Bot](https://gitlab.haskell.org/marge-bot) which will automatically rebase, batch and then merge your PR (assuming the build passes). Useful links: ============= An overview of things like using Git, the release process, filing bugs and more can be located here: You can find our coding conventions for the compiler and RTS here: If you're going to contribute regularly, **learning how to use the build system is important** and will save you lots of time. You should read over this page carefully: A web based code explorer for the GHC source code with semantic analysis and type information of the GHC sources is available at: Look for `GHC` in `Package-name`. For example, here is the link to [GHC-8.6.5](https://haskell-code-explorer.mfix.io/package/ghc-8.6.5). If you want to watch issues and code review activities, the following page is a good start: How to communicate with us ========================== GHC is a big project, so you'll surely need help. Luckily, we can provide plenty through a variety of means! ## IRC If you're an IRC user, be sure to drop by the official `#ghc` channel on [Libera.Chat](https://libera.chat). Many (but not all) of the developers and committers are actively there during a variety of hours. ## Mailing lists In the event IRC does not work or if you'd like a bigger audience, GHC has several mailing lists for this purpose. The most important one is [ghc-devs](http://www.haskell.org/pipermail/ghc-devs/), which is where the developers actively hang out and discuss incoming changes and problems. There is no strict standard about where you post patches - either in `ghc-devs` or in the bug tracker. Ideally, please put it in the bug tracker with test cases or relevant information in a ticket, and set the ticket status to `patch`. By doing this, we'll see the patch quickly and be able to review. This will also ensure it doesn't get lost. But if the change is small and self contained, feel free to attach it to your email, and send it to `ghc-devs`. Furthermore, if you're a developer (or want to become one!) you're undoubtedly also interested in the other mailing lists: * [glasgow-haskell-users](http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/glasgow-haskell-users) is where developers/users meet. * [ghc-commits](http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/ghc-commits) for commit messages when someone pushes to the repository. El fin ====== Happy Hacking! -- The GHC Team