Tagged Questions
28
votes
3answers
3k views
What is point free style in Functional Programming?
A phrase that I've noticed recently is the concept of "point free" style...
First, there was this question, and also this one.
Then, I discovered here they mention "Another topic that may be worth ...
11
votes
9answers
2k views
Functional Programming: what is an “improper list”?
Could somebody explain what an "improper list" is?
Note: Thanks to all ! All you guys rock!
18
votes
7answers
1k views
Separate Namespaces for Functions and Variables in Common Lisp versus Scheme
Scheme uses a single namespace for all variables, regardless of whether they are bound to functions or other types of values. Common Lisp separates the two, such that the identifier "hello" may refer ...
18
votes
8answers
2k views
Practical use of curried functions?
There are tons of tutorials on how to curry functions, and as many questions here at stackoverflow. However, after reading The Little Schemer, several books, tutorials, blog posts, and stackoverflow ...
20
votes
10answers
978 views
“Functional programming” has a clear meaning, but does “functional language”?
I understand very clearly the difference between functional and imperative programming techniques. But there's a widespread tendency to talk of "functional languages", and this really confuses me.
Of ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Which language in DrScheme for SICP?
I have been using the Module for SICP in DrScheme 4.2 but which language has the best support for SICP in DrScheme?
Has anyone here tried this?
Thanks.
16
votes
6answers
2k views
What is a 'thunk', as used in Scheme or in general?
I come across the word 'thunk' at a lot of places in code and documentation related to Scheme, and similar territories. I am guessing that it is a generic name for a procedure, which has a single ...
8
votes
11answers
999 views
Kernighan & Ritchie word count example program in a functional language
I have been reading a little bit about functional programming on the web lately and I think I got a basic idea about the concepts behind it.
I'm curious how everyday programming problems which ...
37
votes
15answers
4k views
What's a good beginning text on functional programming?
I like to study languages outside my comfort zone, but I've had a hard time finding a place to start for functional languages. I heard a lot of good things about Structure and Interpretations of ...
18
votes
5answers
5k views
Continuations in Clojure
I read somewhere where rich hickey said:
"I think continuations might be neat
in theory, but not in practice"
I am not familiar with clojure.
1. Does clojure have continuations?
2. If no, ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
Any real world experience debugging a production functional program?
I'm interested in what tools and methods are used for diagnosing flaws in large scale functional programs. What tools are useful? My current understanding is that 'printf' debugging (e.g. add ...
13
votes
3answers
3k views
What are the benefits of letrec?
While reading "The Seasoned Schemer" I've begun to learn about letrec. I understand what it does (can be duplicated with a Y-Combinator) but the book is using it in lieu of recurring on the already ...
10
votes
2answers
566 views
find free variables in lambda expression
Does anyone know how I can figure out the free variables in a lambda expression? Free variables are the variables that aren't part of the lambda parameters.
My current method (which is getting me ...
5
votes
1answer
297 views
Implicit currying in Scheme with syntax-rules?
Jeffrey Meunier has an implicit Curry macro here, which uses defmacro. I was wondering if someone has ever written this with syntax-rules?
5
votes
6answers
1k views
What would be better? Haskell, Scheme or CLisp?
I've been coding for a few years now, nothing too complicated. C++ is what i know best. I recently stumbled into Paul Graham's site, coding horror and now here.
What do i learn to 'enlighten myself ...
