articles filed under functional
SQL library for newLISP
posted on 07/14/08 at 4:24 p.m. |
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The newLISP SQL library is a set of classes and functions to ease generation of SQL code in newLISP. The module is not yet feature-complete but is in a usable state.
Variable-arity functions in Lisp
posted on 02/27/08 at 2:36 p.m. |
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One of the handier features of modern functional languages like Erlang and OCaml is the use of unification to match arity against function definitions. The ability to define a function in terms of the type and number of arguments passed is both expressive and useful.
Partial application and currying
posted on 12/04/07 at 12:33 p.m. |
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Currying, known in Python land as partial application, is a technique in which a function taking multiple arguments composes a function that takes fewer arguments (in most languages, reducing to one, although this is not the case in Python) by partially applying it to given parameters. For example, a function, sum, might be used to compose a new function called "plus_one" by currying it with the value of one. The composed function is not evaluated; it is returned as a function object which may then be applied to other parameters.
Java from a functional perspective
posted on 10/15/07 at 11:11 a.m. |
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Not long ago a project required me to learn a little Java. As a long-time elitist functional programmer, I was not extremely excited. Due to the low quality of Java software I have used, I assumed, like many, that Java produced slow, bloated, and buggy software. Some languages just feel clunky. My previous experience with Java was as a much less experienced programmer. My experience this time around, however, was more positive.
Functional programming
posted on 09/10/07 at 8:34 a.m. |
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A recent post on the newLISP forum suggested that it would be helpful to have a short primer on the basics of functional programming for the imperative programmer coming to newLISP (although this also applies to other Lisps).