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Why Functional Programming?

Published
•2 min read
Why Functional Programming?
L
Lucas Payr

Hi there, I'm a Software developer and have been programming since 2010.

I came in contact with functional programming when I did my master's in computer mathematics. I learned functional programming using Lisp, Prolog and Mathematica. But then I found my perfect language in Elm and never looked back.

At my job, I work with Kotlin and Typescript, which work best by writing a hybrid of FP and OOP.

Ever since I started working, I use field notes to track my thoughts and discoveries. My blog contains the best parts of those notes.

Part of seriesUnderstand Functional Programming

You might have already heard of functional programming. What is it for? Is it any good? Should we care?

If you are coding in any modern programming language, like JavaScript, Java or Phyton, then you have probably used it already!

What is it for?

Functional Programming(FP) is a way of structuring code - just like Object Oriented Programming(OOP). If you are using OOP, then you can still add a functional flavour to your code.

Is it any Good?

Yes. FP fixes problems of OOP: Complicated class diagrams, obscure design patterns and magical side effects. FP has none of them. It doesn't even need Objects!

Should we care?

Oh, hell yeah! All modern programming languages are slowly adding functional features. For example:

  • Lambda Functions

  • Immutability

  • Union Types

  • Records

  • Pattern Matching

Where to start?

Probably start googling "Functional programming in <Programming Langauge>".

You can also look for a book (probably of the same name)

Or if you are not interested in a book, you can just subscribe to this blog. This post is part of a series, in which we look at functional programming from different perspectives and by using different languages.

If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment.

The next entry in this series explains Pure Functions using JavaScript, but you can follow along using any other language. Hope to see you there.

#beginners#java#python#javascript#coding

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Understand Functional Programming

Part 1 of 4

There are different ways of looking at functional programming. Each article in this series will explain it differently and will use a different programming language to do so.

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Use Pure Functions to understand Functional Programming

About this SeriesIn this article, you will learn the basic philosophy behind functional programming. However, there are different ways of looking at it. Each article in this series will explain it differently and will use a different programming lang...

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