Desperate: How to install Haskell School of Expression graphics pkg, Windows XP and 7

Question

I've already downloaded the Haskell platform and I've been using ghci with no problem, but that's about it. I need to use the SOE graphics files, and I downloaded the files (I think it was tar.gz) but wherever I look, the instructions for Windows seem to skip steps or not work. I can't get cabal to work (never in scope) even after I moved it from a buried folder to the bin where ghci lives. Same for OpenGL or GLFW or whatever it's called.

I need clear step by step instructions for my desktop (Win XP SP2) and my laptop (Win 7). If you point me to an existing page, I've probably been there and tried to follow the instructions without success. See if you can clarify the process.

Please talk to me as if I am a moron. If you're telling me to type something, I need to know where I'm typing it. If I need to download a file, tell me what folder it belongs in. Please.

First: Should I uninstall everything I've already downloaded to start fresh, and if so, do I just delete the files or must I get into the registry?

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I've actually made some progress. I got cabal to install GLFW. I typed -i./SOE/src and I got the right result. Then I went to :load Draw.lhs and got

Compiling SOE ( SOE.hs, interpreted )

SOE.hs:136:31: Couldn't match expected type 'Bool' with actual type '()' Expected type: GLFW.WindowCloseCallback Actual type: IO () In the return type of a call of 'closeWindow_' In the second argument of '($=)', namely 'closeWindow_ eventsChan' Failed, modules loaded: none

????? I just want to clarify, I didn't do anything to the SOE.hs file myself.

Answer 1

When you say that cabal doesn't work for you because it is "not in scope", it sounds like you are trying to run cabal from inside GHCi (because the error message there would be Not in scope: 'cabal').

Cabal is a completely separate program, which you need to run from the Windows command prompt. If it doesn't work from there, I'd suggest uninstalling and then reinstalling the Haskell platform (especially if you have moved files around manually). The Haskell Platform installer should always add the cabal command to your path (although you need to reopen any command prompt windows to use the updated path).

You absolutely do not need to move any executable files to different folders or anything like that (I've used the Haskell Platform under Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7).