better support for static linking

[bos]

(Imported from Trac #398, reported by @dcoutts on 2008-11-08)

Generating statically linked binaries on different platforms requires a bit of knowledge about what flags to pass to ghc. It would be nice to just be able to cabal configure --enable-static-executable or something and have that pass the extra -optl-static and whatever ghc options are required.

If it's not possible to generate static binaries it should make some attempt at explaining why.

[bos]

(Imported comment by @dcoutts on 2008-11-08)

Should not be too hard at least on common platforms. Just needs a bit of testing. Standalone task for some volunteer.

[antoinelyset]

+1 I'm currently reviewing Haskell for static linked binaries and I would love to be able to do it, just as in Go. Cross Compilation would be great too :).

[purpleidea]

+1

[tibbe]

I think this is a good idea as well. Anyone care to take a stab at it? I can provide some guidance. Generally you just have to add the --enable-static-executables flag and then output the right GHC flags in https://github.com/haskell/cabal/blob/master/Cabal/Distribution/Simple/GHC.hs.

[gozes]

+1

[mcfilib]

+1

[nh2]

I'm giving a shot at this now.

[nh2]

I'm giving a shot at this now.

OK done.