yminsky

Understandable how you'd get that impression, but it's off the mark. We do lots of "ordinary" programming that looks nothing like waiting a compiler. Data analysis, high performance packet processing, log analysis, UI work, you name it.

We use OCaml as a general purpose tool, and it really excels in that role.

But we did, though we used the term "algebraic effects". And while it's being actively worked on, it hasn't landed yet, so I don't know that I'd call it recent...

These are a bit out of date, but they give you some flavor of the library, in an interactive form:

http://www.ujamjar.com/hardcaml/

If you're interested in understanding more about what Hardcaml is trying to achieve, you might enjoy this interview with Andy Ray, the primary author of the library:

https://signalsandthreads.com/programmable-hardware/

It's a podcast, but you can read the transcript too, if you're not into that format.

One thing that really struck me about the conversation is how much of the benefit that Andy sees coming from Hardcaml is from the testing story.