Learn ML with Real Code Examples

Install an ML implementation (e.g., Standard ML of New Jersey, OCaml)

Verify installation with REPL (interactive environment)

Set up a source code directory

Write sample .ml files

Compile and run using ML compiler or REPL

Install SML/NJ or OCaml

Set environment variables if needed

Verify REPL runs

Organize source directories

Test sample programs

.ml source files

.mli signature files

Build scripts or makefiles

Module dependencies

Test scripts

sml

ocaml

mlton program.ml

use REPL to evaluate expressions

compile with smlnj compiler

Supports Unicode in OCaml variants

ML syntax is ASCII-based

Localization handled externally

Date/time and number formatting managed externally

Text processing possible with libraries

REPL provides interactive access

Editors support ML syntax highlighting

Extensive documentation for learning

Community examples in academia

Accessible on Windows, Linux, Mac via SML/NJ or OCaml

ML is text-based; no direct UI

Integration possible with bindings for GUI libraries

Primarily used in REPL or console

Output via standard printing functions

Visualization via external tools if needed

Immutable variables hold state

Recursion replaces iterative state changes

Modules encapsulate functionality

References used sparingly for mutable state

Garbage collection manages memory

Lists, tuples, records, and algebraic types

Immutable by default

Pattern matching for deconstruction

Optional arrays or refs for mutable data

Functional pipelines for transformations