OCaml Build System

7 posts · Nov 2016 – Jun 2026

What this trail covers

This post extends the OCaml build system discussion by detailing how an accidental discovery led to a more robust and efficient build system. It highlights the technical challenges and solutions encountered in integrating various components and optimizing build times, contributing to the broader development of versatile OCaml systems. This post specifically addresses a versioning problem within the ppx preprocessor, proposing a solution that simplifies dependency management and improves build reliability.

All Jane Street trails

Jun 2026Using OxCaml to implement type-safe reference counting between OCaml and PythonThis post introduces a method for implementing type-safe reference counting between OCaml and Python using OxCaml. It details the technical approach to managing object lifetimes and preventing memory leaks when passing data between the two languages, thereby enhancing the robustness of inter-language communication within the OCaml build system context.
Jan 2025How we accidentally built a better build system for OCamlThis post details the accidental discovery and implementation of a significantly improved OCaml build system. It describes the technical challenges faced, such as dependency management and build parallelism, and the solutions developed, including a novel approach to managing build artifacts and a more efficient dependency resolution strategy. The post emphasizes the impact on build times and developer productivity.
Sep 2023Oxidizing OCaml: Data Race FreedomThis post introduces a new capability for achieving data race freedom in OCaml by leveraging Rust's ownership and borrowing principles. It details the technical implementation of a new type system and compiler checks designed to prevent data races at compile time, enhancing the reliability and safety of OCaml code.
Jun 2023Oxidizing OCaml: Rust-Style OwnershipThis post introduces Rust-style ownership and borrowing concepts to OCaml to achieve data race freedom. It details the technical approach to identifying and eliminating data races by developing a new type system to enforce these guarantees, contributing to more robust and reliable OCaml systems.
Dec 2019Using Python and OCaml in the same Jupyter notebookThis post introduces the capability to use Python and OCaml within the same Jupyter notebook. It details the technical approach for achieving this interoperability, likely involving mechanisms for inter-process communication or shared memory, allowing developers to leverage the strengths of both languages in a single environment.
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Sep 2018Deep learning experiments in OCamlThis post introduces deep learning experiments within the OCaml ecosystem. It details the technical approach to implementing and running deep learning models in OCaml, likely involving the integration of ML libraries and frameworks, thereby extending the capabilities of the OCaml build system to support AI workloads.
Nov 2016A solution to the ppx versioning problemThis post introduces a solution to the ppx versioning problem by proposing a new approach to managing ppx versions. It details how to avoid issues arising from incompatible ppx versions by ensuring that all ppx dependencies are pinned to a single, consistent version. This is achieved by using a mechanism that effectively treats all ppx dependencies as a single unit, thereby simplifying dependency management and reducing the likelihood of build failures due to version conflicts.