What are the best practices for using type classes in Haskell?

What are the best practices for using type classes in Haskell?

When using type classes in Haskell, it's important to keep your interfaces small and focused. This helps maintain clarity and reduces complexity.

Can you give an example of a small type class?

Sure! A simple example is the Eq type class, which defines equality. It has a single method, ==, making it easy to implement.

How do I avoid overlapping instances?

To avoid overlapping instances, you can use the {-# OVERLAPPING #-} and {-# OVERLAPPABLE #-} pragmas, but it's best to design your type classes to prevent overlaps in the first place.

What about using type families with type classes?

Type families can enhance type classes by allowing more flexible and expressive type-level programming. Just be cautious of complexity.

Are there any common pitfalls to watch out for?

Yes, common pitfalls include creating too many instances, which can lead to ambiguity, and not providing clear documentation for your type classes.