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xvilka/higher

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2019-12-23

Audience · developerComplexity · 4/5DormantSetup · easy

TLDR

An OCaml library that lets you write one function that works across list, array, tree, or any container type, using a pattern called higher-kinded polymorphism.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((higher))
    What it does
      Higher-kinded polymorphism
      Generic over container types
      Based on 2014 research paper
    Tech Stack
      OCaml
      opam
    Use Cases
      Write generic transforms
      Build flexible abstractions
      Port Haskell patterns
    Related Languages
      TypeScript
      Java
      Swift
    Audience
      Library authors
      Framework builders

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Write one transform function that works over lists, arrays, and trees without duplicating code

USE CASE 2

Build reusable abstractions for an OCaml library or framework that need to stay generic

USE CASE 3

Port a higher-kinded pattern you know from Haskell, TypeScript, or Swift into OCaml

USE CASE 4

Reduce repeated boilerplate in code that operates across multiple container types

What is it built with?

OCamlopam

How does it compare?

xvilka/higher0verflowme/alarm-clock0verflowme/seclists
Language—CSS—
Last pushed2019-12-232022-10-032020-05-03
MaintenanceDormantDormantDormant
Setup difficultyeasyeasyeasy
Complexity4/52/51/5
Audiencedevelopervibe coderops devops

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 30min

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Show me an example of writing a container-generic map function in OCaml using the higher library
Prompt 2
Explain how higher-kinded polymorphism works in this library compared to how it works in Haskell
Prompt 3
Help me install and set up the higher library with opam in my OCaml project
Prompt 4
Walk me through porting a TypeScript higher-kinded type pattern to OCaml using this library

Frequently asked questions

What is higher?

An OCaml library that lets you write one function that works across list, array, tree, or any container type, using a pattern called higher-kinded polymorphism.

Is higher actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2019-12-23).

How hard is higher to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is higher for?

Mainly developer.

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