Ocamlfind - OCaml Library Locator Tool

Locate and manage OCaml libraries with Ocamlfind. Learn to list, query, compile, and link OCaml packages efficiently.

Ocamlfind

Ocamlfind: The OCaml Library Locator

Ocamlfind is an essential tool for OCaml developers, acting as a library locator and build tool. It simplifies the process of finding and using OCaml packages and libraries in your projects. By abstracting away the complexities of library paths and compiler flags, ocamlfind allows developers to focus on writing code rather than managing build configurations.

Core Ocamlfind Commands and Usage

Here are some fundamental commands you'll use with ocamlfind to manage your OCaml development environment:

# ocamlfind
# Tool for locating OCaml libraries.

# List all available OCaml packages
ocamlfind list

# Find a specific OCaml package by name
ocamlfind query package_name

# Compile an OCaml program with a specific package
ocamlfind ocamlc -package package_name -linkpkg -o output_file source_file.ml

# Linking OCaml modules with specific packages
ocamlfind ocamlc -o output_program -package package1,package2 -linkpkg source_file1.cmo source_file2.cmo

# Print information related to a package (like its version)
ocamlfind query -format '%F: %v' package_name

# Use a package with the OCaml top-level (REPL)
ocamlfind ocaml -package package_name -linkpkg

Package Management with Opam

While ocamlfind helps locate and use libraries, the primary package manager for OCaml is Opam. Opam handles the installation and removal of packages, making them available for ocamlfind to discover. You typically use Opam to manage your OCaml environment.

# Install a package (through opam or another package manager, not directly with ocamlfind)
opam install package_name

# Remove a package (through opam or another package manager, not directly with ocamlfind)
opam remove package_name

Further Resources