What are the differences between Haskell type classes?

What are the differences between Haskell type classes?

Haskell type classes are a way to define functions that can operate on different types. The main differences lie in how they handle polymorphism, inheritance, and constraints.

Can you explain polymorphism in the context of type classes?

Sure! Polymorphism in Haskell allows functions to operate on different types without needing to know the specifics of those types. Type classes enable this by defining a set of functions that can be implemented for various types.

What about the concept of constraints in type classes?

Constraints in type classes specify requirements that types must fulfill to be part of a type class. For example, the 'Num' type class requires types to support basic arithmetic operations.

How do type classes compare to interfaces in other languages?

Type classes in Haskell are similar to interfaces in languages like Java, but they are more flexible. In Haskell, you can define default implementations and have ad-hoc polymorphism, allowing for more dynamic behavior.