Until yesterday, I wasn't aware of any web stores implemented in Haskell. Most users of languages like Haskell and ML tend to be focused on other kinds of applications. This sometimes leads to discussions about the "real-world suitability" of these languages, which we've occasionally seen here on LtU.

The next time the subject comes up, it will be possible to point to a real, complete web store written in Haskell, which was announced on Haskell-Cafe back in April. The store is Braintree Hemp, and the code behind it was written by Adam Peacock. It's an impressive program, written in a little over 4200 lines of Haskell, sporting the following features:

Written in Haskell, using WASH

Shopping basket and checkout

Google Maps

Google Analytics

Google Webmaster tools

Template Haskell for HaskellDB description (describe a table or a field in one line)

GPL, execpt where stated otherwise.

Heavyweight Content Management System (CMS)

Froogle RSS generator

Configurable help for each page

Concept of inventory levels

Concept of users and permissions

Naive-user management of products, users, and page content

XML import tool and wizard for inventory level reconciliation

between warehouse and site database Why did I write the site in Haskell? First, I was ask to fix the site

that was selling products they didn't have in stock. Once I looked at

the source code, 25000 lines of ASP, I reckoned it would be easier to

rewrite it in a real language. Second, I couldn't find any commercial

sites written in Haskell, and I thought this would be a good chance. The new site has considerably more functionality and is a little over

4200 lines of Haskell. The original site could only display and sell

products, without consideration of whether any were currently in

stock. Furthermore, the site content could only be maintained by an

expert user.

Read the announcement for additional details, including a link to the source code (note: source code is a slightly older than that running on the live site).