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  (->) :: * -> * -> *
  (->) :: * -> * -> *


In Haskell 98, <TT>*</TT> is the only '''inhabited kind''', that is, all values have types of kind <TT>*</TT>. GHC introduces another inhabited kind, <TT>#</TT>, for [[unboxed types]].
In Haskell 98, <TT>*</TT> is the only '''inhabited kind''', that is, all values have types of kind <TT>*</TT>. GHC introduces another inhabited kind, <TT>#</TT>, for [[unboxed type]]s.

Revision as of 19:58, 4 January 2006

Kinds classify types. Kinds are to types and type-constructors what types are to values.

Ordinary types have kind *. Type constructors have kind P -> Q, where P and Q are kinds. For instance:

Int :: *
Maybe :: * -> *
Maybe Bool :: *
a -> a :: *
[] :: * -> *
(->) :: * -> * -> *

In Haskell 98, * is the only inhabited kind, that is, all values have types of kind *. GHC introduces another inhabited kind, #, for unboxed types.