[Haskell-cafe] Somewhat random history question - chicken and egg

[Neil Mitchell]

Hi

> > GHC can be compiled with GHC 5.0 (or something around there). If they
> > add a new feature, they don't use it in GHC for years and years.
> >
>
> *Can* be compiled with GHC 5.0, or *is* compiled?

Can. If a feature goes horribly wrong, or a build is entirely broken
in some subtle but fundamental way that isn't noticed for ages, then
could go back to GHC 5 and bootstrap off that. In reality, its
bootstrapped with itself in stages.

Thanks

Neil