Add base-4.6.0.x compatibility about megaparsec HOT 5 CLOSED

Why don't we stick to last 3 major GHC versions? I think it's what is used for core libraries, so it could be good enough for Megaparsec.

Supporting base-4.6 gives us the 3rd needed version, so we could stop there.

from megaparsec.

I don't consider this necessary right now. After all all the stuff is getting old pretty fast. Compatibility with GHC 7.8 is something we were asked for, but this thing is not that important in my opinion.

Next released version of GHC will be the third one, what do you think?

from megaparsec.

My interest in compatibility to GHC 7.6.3 is mainly sparked by the default GHC in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. Yup, it's ancient. As @neongreen said, I wouldn't add support for GHC 7.4.x or older. Interested Wheezy users probably update their GHC. Just a quick remark on GHC versions:

I'm not sure about Mint's version, but Debian and Ubuntu are quite common, so some support for GHC 7.6 might be feasible. Especially if you want megaparsec to be used at universities.

That being said, it's nothing of high priority. You could add GHC 7.6. compatibility later in October, and remove it when GHC 8.0.1 comes along.

from megaparsec.

My opinion is provide GHC 7.6 support if it's not too much trouble. I'm actually using Ubuntu LTS too, so I feel the pain. However, Haskell support on Debian/Ubuntu has been stagnant recently, so I wouldn't use that as a guidepost. I think many Haskell developers use GHC 7.10 from @hvr's PPA on Ubuntu anyway.

Though, it's true that it's a rule of thumb for core libraries and many packages on Stackage to provide backwards compatibility for 3 past GHC versions.

from megaparsec.

@bkaestner, If you want, you can open a PR, I'll consider it. If it's not too hairy indeed, Megaparsec could be compatible with base 4.6.x.x.

Since no actual bugs is discovered so far and feature-requests all are about rather exceptional situations, I think we should concentrate on lowering of Megaparsec's requirements and improving/creating of auxiliary materials like tutorials.

from megaparsec.