In the version of ML we are using, output is slightly different from the class notes, which were written for an older version of ML.
print("hi there");
val x = "something";
print(x) ;
all work to print strings. In fact "print" only works for strings. To make it print other values you have to call conversion functions like this:
print(Int.toString(43)); print(Real.toString(3.1415926)); val m = 125; print(Int.toString(m));
As for making the text file, I am not sure redirect like we mentioned in class will work since the interpreter is running interactively. If you can make it for that's ok.
You can easily send output to a text file like this:
open TextIO; # put this as the first line of your program
val outf = openOut("somefyle.txt");
output(outf,"hi there");
output(outf,Int.toString(47));
You need not type the while program at the interpreter each time you want to run it. Simple create a text file with your program in it... use whatever editor you like to write the program. Let's say I have my program in a file called prog.ml Then when I run the interpreter I type this:
use "prog.ml";The interpreter will slarp in the whole thing, digest it, and spit out any type info and messages that would have been generated had I typed it all in one line at a time.
Hope this all helps.