miso
A tasty Haskell front-end framework
**Miso** is a small "[isomorphic](http://nerds.airbnb.com/isomorphic-javascript-future-web-apps/)" [Haskell](https://www.haskell.org/) front-end framework for quickly building highly interactive single-page web applications. It features a virtual-dom, diffing / patching algorithm, attribute and property normalization, event delegation, event batching, SVG, Server-sent events, Websockets, type-safe [servant](https://haskell-servant.github.io/)-style routing and an extensible Subscription-based subsystem. Inspired by [Elm](http://elm-lang.org/), [Redux](http://redux.js.org/) and [Bobril](http://github.com/bobris/bobril). **Miso** is pure by default, but side effects (like `XHR`) can be introduced into the system via the `Effect` data type. **Miso** makes heavy use of the [GHCJS](https://github.com/ghcjs/ghcjs) FFI and therefore has minimal dependencies. **Miso** can be considered a shallow [embedded domain-specific language](https://wiki.haskell.org/Embedded_domain_specific_language) for modern web programming.
## Table of Contents
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Begin](#begin)
- [Stack](#stack)
- [Nix](#nix)
- [Cabal](#cabal)
- [GHCJSi Caveats](#ghcjsi-caveats)
- [Architecture](#architecture)
- [Examples](#examples)
- [TodoMVC](#todomvc)
- [Flatris](#flatris)
- [2048](#2048)
- [Snake](#snake)
- [Mario](#mario)
- [Websocket](#websocket)
- [SSE](#sse)
- [XHR](#xhr)
- [Router](#router)
- [SVG](#svg)
- [Canvas 2D](#canvas-2d)
- [ThreeJS](#threejs)
- [Simple](#simple)
- [File Reader](#file-reader)
- [WebVR](#webvr)
- [Haddocks](#haddocks)
- [GHC](#ghc)
- [GHCJS](#ghcjs)
- [Sample Application](#sample-application)
- [Building examples](#building-examples)
- [Isomorphic](#isomorphic)
- [Pinning nixpkgs](#pinning-nixpkgs)
- [Binary cache](#binary-cache)
- [Benchmarks](#benchmarks)
- [Maintainers](#maintainers)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [License](#license)
## Quick start
To get started quickly building applications, we recommend using the [`stack`](https://docs.haskellstack.org/en/stable/README/) or [`nix`](https://nixos.org/nix) package managers. Obtaining [`GHCJS`](https://github.com/ghcjs/ghcjs) is required as a prerequisite. `stack` and `nix` make this process easy, if you're using `cabal` we assume you have [obtained `GHCJS`](https://github.com/ghcjs/ghcjs#installation) by other means.
All source code depicted below for the quick start app is available [here](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/tree/master/sample-app).
### Begin
We recommend using `nix` when working with `miso`, but it is just as fine to use `stack`.
To build the sample-app with `nix`, execute the command below:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/dmjio/miso && cd miso/sample-app && nix-build
```
To develop with `nix` run the below command (this will put you into a shell where you can iteratively develop the project with `cabal build`).
```bash
git clone https://github.com/dmjio/miso && cd miso/sample-app && nix-shell -A env
```
For more information on using `nix` w/ `miso`, see the [`nix` section below](#nix)
To build the sample-app with `stack`, execute the command below:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/dmjio/miso && cd miso/sample-app && stack setup && stack build
```
Note: It's important to ensure that you don't have a global `cabal-install` present on your system. This could cause build problems. If you see an error like this (below), try deleting your global `cabal-install`.
```bash
exit status: 1
stderr: solver must be one of: modular
CallStack (from HasCallStack):
error, called at libraries/Cabal/Cabal/Distribution/ReadE.hs:46:24 in Cabal-2.0.1.0:Distribution.ReadE
```
For more information on using `stack` w/ `miso`, see the [`stack` section below](#stack)
### Stack
In the `miso` repository there is a [folder named `stack`](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/tree/master/stack) with "known to work" configurations for `GHCJS`. One stack file exists for both the `7.10.3` and `8.0.1` versions of `GHCJS`. In general, we recommend developing with the `7.10.3` version since it currently supports `GHCJSi` (a REPL that connects to the browser by way of a [`nodejs`](https://nodejs.org/en/) web server using [`socket.io`](https://socket.io/)) and building with the `8.0.1` version (if possible). For more information on using `stack` with `GHCJS`, please consult the [GHCJS section of the `stack` docs](https://docs.haskellstack.org/en/stable/ghcjs/).
To begin, create the following directory layout
```bash
➜ mkdir app && touch app/{Main.hs,app.cabal,stack.yaml} && tree app
app
|-- Main.hs
|-- app.cabal
`-- stack.yaml
```
Add a `stack.yaml` file that uses a recent version of `miso`.
```bash
➜ cat app/stack.yaml
resolver: lts-6.30
compiler: ghcjs-0.2.0.9006030_ghc-7.10.3
compiler-check: match-exact
packages:
- '.'
extra-deps:
- miso-0.12.0.0
setup-info:
ghcjs:
source:
ghcjs-0.2.0.9006030_ghc-7.10.3:
url: http://ghcjs.tolysz.org/lts-6.30-9006030.tar.gz
sha1: 2371e2ffe9e8781808b7a04313e6a0065b64ee51
```
Add a `cabal` file
```bash
➜ cat app/*.cabal
name: app
version: 0.1.0.0
synopsis: First miso app
category: Web
build-type: Simple
cabal-version: >=1.10
executable app
main-is: Main.hs
build-depends: base, miso
default-language: Haskell2010
```
Add the source from [Sample Application](#sample-application) to `app/Main.hs`
Run `stack setup`. This might take a long time, since it will have to build `GHCJS`.
```
stack setup
```
Run `stack build` to get the static assets
```
stack build
```
See the result
```
open $(stack path --local-install-root)/bin/app.jsexe/index.html
```
Using GHCJSi
```
stack ghci
```
If that warns with `socket.io not found, browser session not available`, you'll need to install `socket.io`
```
npm install socket.io
```
and update your `NODE_PATH`
```
export NODE_PATH=$(pwd)/node_modules
```
Now you should be connected, and the app viewable in `GHCJSi` (open http://localhost:6400).
```bash
➜ stack ghci
app-0.1.0.0: initial-build-steps (exe)
Configuring GHCi with the following packages: app
GHCJSi, version 0.2.0.9006020-7.10.3: http://www.github.com/ghcjs/ghcjs/ :? for help
[1 of 1] Compiling Main ( /Users/david/Desktop/miso/sample-app/Main.hs, interpreted )
socket.io found, browser session available at http://localhost:6400
Ok, modules loaded: Main.
*Main> main
browser connected, code runs in browser from now on
```
### Nix
`Nix` is a more powerful option for building web applications with `miso` since it encompasses development workflow, configuration management, and deployment. The source code for [`haskell-miso.org`](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/tree/master/examples/haskell-miso.org) is an example of this.
If unfamiliar with `nix`, we recommend [@Gabriel439](https://github.com/Gabriel439)'s ["Nix and Haskell in production"](https://github.com/Gabriel439/haskell-nix) guide.
To get started, we will use the [`cabal2nix`](https://github.com/NixOS/cabal2nix) tool to convert our `Cabal` file into a `nix` derivation (named `app.nix`). We'll then write a file named `default.nix`, which is used for building our project (via `nix-build`) and development (via `nix-shell`).
To begin, make the following directory layout:
```bash
➜ mkdir app && touch app/{Main.hs,app.cabal,default.nix,app.nix} && tree app
app
|-- Main.hs
|-- app.cabal
|-- default.nix
`-- app.nix
```
Add a `cabal` file
```bash
➜ cat app/*.cabal
name: app
version: 0.1.0.0
synopsis: First miso app
category: Web
build-type: Simple
cabal-version: >=1.10
executable app
main-is: Main.hs
build-depends: base, miso
default-language: Haskell2010
```
Use [`cabal2nix`](https://github.com/NixOS/cabal2nix) to generate a file named `app.nix`
that looks like below.
```bash
➜ cabal2nix . --compiler ghcjs > app.nix
➜ cat app.nix
```
```nix
{ mkDerivation, base, miso, stdenv }:
mkDerivation {
pname = "app";
version = "0.1.0.0";
src = ./.;
isLibrary = false;
isExecutable = true;
executableHaskellDepends = [ base miso ];
description = "First miso app";
license = stdenv.lib.licenses.bsd3;
}
```
Write a `default.nix` (which calls `app.nix`), this fetches a recent version of `miso`.
```nix
{ pkgs ? import ((import {}).fetchFromGitHub {
owner = "NixOS";
repo = "nixpkgs";
rev = "a0aeb23";
sha256 = "04dgg0f2839c1kvlhc45hcksmjzr8a22q1bgfnrx71935ilxl33d";
}){}
}:
let
result = import (pkgs.fetchFromGitHub {
owner = "dmjio";
repo = "miso";
sha256 = "1l1gwzzqlvvcmg70jjrwc5ijv1vb6y5ljqkh7rxxq7hkyxpjyx9q";
rev = "95f6bc9b1ae6230b110358a82b6a573806f272c2";
}) {};
in pkgs.haskell.packages.ghcjs.callPackage ./app.nix {
miso = result.miso-ghcjs;
}
```
Build the project
```
nix-build
```
Open the result
```
open ./result/bin/app.jsexe/index.html
```
For development with `nix`, it's important to have `cabal` present for building. This command will make it available in your `PATH`.
```
nix-env -iA cabal-install -f ''
```
To be put into a shell w/ `GHCJS` and all the dependencies for this project present, use `nix-shell`.
```
nix-shell -A env
```
To open `GHCJSi` (`NODE_PATH` should already be set properly)
```
$ cabal configure --ghcjs
$ cabal repl
Package has never been configured. Configuring with default flags. If this
fails, please run configure manually.
Resolving dependencies...
Configuring app-0.1.0.0...
Preprocessing executable 'app' for app-0.1.0.0...
GHCJSi, version 0.2.0-7.10.3: http://www.github.com/ghcjs/ghcjs/ :? for help
[1 of 1] Compiling Main ( Main.hs, interpreted )
Ok, modules loaded: Main.
*Main>
browser connected, code runs in browser from now on
```
### Cabal
The latest stable version of `miso` will be available on Hackage.
To build with cabal, we assume `ghcjs` is in your `PATH` and `ghcjs-base` is present in your `ghcjs-pkg` list.
```bash
cabal sandbox init
cabal install --ghcjs
cabal build
open dist/build/app/app.jsexe/index.html
```
### GHCJSi Caveats
If you run `main` in `GHCJSi`, interrupt it and then run it again, you
will end up with two copies of your app displayed above each other. As
a workaround, you can use `clearBody >> main` which will completely
clear the document body before rendering your application.
### Architecture
For constructing client and server applications, we recommend using one `cabal` file with two executable sections, where the `buildable` attribute set is contingent on the compiler. An example of this layout is [here](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/haskell-miso.org/haskell-miso.cabal#L16-L60). For more info on how to use `stack` with a `client`/`server` setup, see this [link](https://docs.haskellstack.org/en/stable/ghcjs/#project-with-both-client-and-server). For more information on how to use `nix` with a `client`/`server` setup, see the [nix scripts](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/haskell-miso.org/default.nix) for [https://haskell-miso.org](https://haskell-miso.org).
## Examples
### TodoMVC
- [Link](https://todo-mvc.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/todo-mvc/Main.hs)
### Flatris
- [Link](https://flatris.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/ptigwe/hs-flatris/)
### 2048
- [Link](http://2048.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/ptigwe/hs2048/)
### Snake
- [Link](http://snake.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/lbonn/miso-snake)
### Mario
- [Link](https://mario.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/mario/Main.hs)
### Websocket
- [Link](https://websocket.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/websocket/Main.hs)
### SSE
- [Link](https://sse.haskell-miso.org/) / [Client](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/sse/client/Main.hs) / [Server](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/sse/server/Main.hs)
### XHR
- [Link](https://xhr.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/xhr/Main.hs)
### Router
- [Link](https://router.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/router/Main.hs)
### SVG
- [Link](https://svg.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/svg/Main.hs)
### Canvas 2D
- [Link](http://canvas.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/canvas2d/Main.hs)
### ThreeJS
- [Link](http://threejs.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/three/Main.hs)
### Simple
- [Link](https://simple.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/exe/Main.hs)
### File Reader
- [Link](https://file-reader.haskell-miso.org/) / [Source](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/examples/file-reader/Main.hs)
### WebVR
- [Link](https://fizruk.github.io/fpconf-2017-talk/miso-aframe-demo/dist/demo.jsexe/index.html) / [Source](https://github.com/fizruk/miso-aframe)
## Haddocks
### GHCJS
- [Link](https://haddocks.haskell-miso.org/)
### GHC
- [Link](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/miso)
## Sample application
```haskell
-- | Haskell language pragma
{-# LANGUAGE OverloadedStrings #-}
{-# LANGUAGE RecordWildCards #-}
-- | Haskell module declaration
module Main where
-- | Miso framework import
import Miso
import Miso.String
-- | Type synonym for an application model
type Model = Int
-- | Sum type for application events
data Action
= AddOne
| SubtractOne
| NoOp
| SayHelloWorld
deriving (Show, Eq)
-- | Entry point for a miso application
main :: IO ()
main = startApp App {..}
where
initialAction = SayHelloWorld -- initial action to be executed on application load
model = 0 -- initial model
update = updateModel -- update function
view = viewModel -- view function
events = defaultEvents -- default delegated events
subs = [] -- empty subscription list
mountPoint = Nothing -- mount point for application (Nothing defaults to 'body')
-- | Updates model, optionally introduces side effects
updateModel :: Action -> Model -> Effect Action Model
updateModel AddOne m = noEff (m + 1)
updateModel SubtractOne m = noEff (m - 1)
updateModel NoOp m = noEff m
updateModel SayHelloWorld m = m <# do
putStrLn "Hello World" >> pure NoOp
-- | Constructs a virtual DOM from a model
viewModel :: Model -> View Action
viewModel x = div_ [] [
button_ [ onClick AddOne ] [ text "+" ]
, text (ms x)
, button_ [ onClick SubtractOne ] [ text "-" ]
]
```
## Building examples
The easiest way to build the examples is with the [`nix`](https://nixos.org/nix/) package manager
```
git clone https://github.com/dmjio/miso && cd miso && nix-build
```
This will build all examples and documentation into a folder named `result`
```
➜ miso git:(master) ✗ tree result -d
result
|-- doc
| |-- x86_64-osx-ghc-8.0.2
| | `-- miso-0.2.0.0
| | `-- html
| | `-- src
| `-- x86_64-osx-ghcjs-0.2.0-ghc7_10_3
| `-- miso-0.2.0.0
| `-- html
| `-- src
|-- examples
| |-- mario.jsexe
| | `-- imgs
| | |-- jump
| | |-- stand
| | `-- walk
| |-- router.jsexe
| |-- simple.jsexe
| |-- tests.jsexe
| |-- todo-mvc.jsexe
| `-- websocket.jsexe
```
To see examples, we recommend hosting them with a webserver
```
cd result/examples/todo-mvc.jsexe && python -m SimpleHTTPServer
Serving HTTP on 0.0.0.0 port 8000 ...
```
## Isomorphic
Isomorphic javascript is a technique for increased SEO, code-sharing and perceived page load times. It works in two parts. First, the server sends a pre-rendered HTML body to the client's browser. Second, after the client javascript application loads, the pointers of the pre-rendered DOM are copied into the virtual DOM, and the application proceeds as normal. All subsequent page navigation is handled locally by the client, avoiding full-page postbacks as necessary.
The `miso` function is used to perform the pointer-copying behavior client-side.
For more information on how `miso` handles isomorphic javascript, we recommend [this tutorial](https://github.com/FPtje/miso-isomorphic-example).
## Pinning nixpkgs
By default `miso` uses a known-to-work, pinned version of [`nixpkgs`](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/default.nix#L1-L6).
To override this to your system's version of `nixpkgs` write:
```
nix-build --arg nixpkgs 'import {}'
```
## Binary cache
`nix` users on a Linux distro can take advantage of a [binary cache](https://cache.dmj.io/nix-cache-info) for faster builds. To use the binary cache simply append `https://cache.dmj.io/nix-cache-info` during all `nix-shell` and/or `nix-build` invocations.
```bash
nix-build --option extra-binary-caches https://cache.dmj.io
```
Alternatively, add `https://cache.dmj.io` to your list of local binary caches in `nix.conf` (usually found in `/etc/nix/nix.conf`), and it will automatically be used on all invocations of `nix-build` and/or `nix-shell`.
```
binary-caches = https://cache.dmj.io/ https://cache.nixos.org/
```
## Benchmarks
[According to benchmarks](https://medium.com/@saurabhnanda/benchmarks-fp-languages-libraries-for-front-end-development-a11af0542f7e), `miso` is among the fastest functional programming web frameworks, second only to [Elm](http://elm-lang.org).
## Maintainers
[@dmjio](https://github.com/dmjio)
## Contributing
Feel free to dive in! [Open an issue](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/issues/new) or submit [PRs](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/pulls).
See [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/dmjio/miso/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md) for more info.
## License
[BSD3](LICENSE) © David Johnson