[ratmice]

Seems like it, but typeclasses are inherently anti-modular, they provide a globally coherent unique instance. consider the Ord typeclass giving a single ordering for a specific type. To reverse the order you need to create a new type with a new instance of ord which reverses it.

Where in a module system its perfectly fine to have multiple instances of Ord for a given type. One gives global consistency where the other gives local consistency.

[elbear]

When you put it like that, modules sound more powerful than typeclasses. Is there any situation where typeclasses are superior to modules?

[ratmice]

I think the extra power comes with cognitive overhead, I.e. operators are now relative to some module, and you're stuck with that overhead whether or not you actually use the power or not.

Trying to stay neutral, I think its no suprise that some people prefer typeclasses...