A functional programming language requires that every function return the same result from the same inputs. A "non-functional" function can make that clearer. If a bank has a function add_to_balance that takes a deposit value as an argument and returns your new balance, that would be non-functional. add_to_balance(3) returns 3 add_to_balance(3) returns 6 add_to_balance(3) returns 9 One of the benefits of a functional language is that it is easier to implement parallel processing. http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/wadler/guide.html goldaryn wrote: > > James Logajan <JamesL at Lugoj.Com> summoned a gibbering mouther that screamed: > >Alex Martelli wrote: > >> [...] since Python does have list comprehensions, [...] > > > >Not being a computer scientist, I hope you can excuse a profoundly ignorant > >question, but what are (or is?) "list comprehensions"? And another question > >(probably harder to answer): is there someplace on the web or in print where > >I can find a good definition of "functional programming"? I'm pretty sure it > >doesn't mean classical procedural notation, more like mathematical or > >logical notation, but I can't be sure. > > > >Many years back I did some application development using such a beast (at > >least I think that is what it was trying to accomplish), but in the end one > >had to rely on procedural elements to get information in and out and do some > >other pedestrian things. > > > >Thanks! > > Searching Google (www.google.com) with "immutable types functional > programming" I got this URL. Should do the job. > http://gnosis.cx/publish/programming/charming_python_13.txt > > Basically, functional programming is not sequential processing of command > using variables. You define methods. You're right, it is hard to define :) > > I learnt SML at first year of university. If you're keen you might try that as > an example language. Search Google. > > g. -- Lloyd Kvam Venix Corp. 1 Court Street, Suite 378 Lebanon, NH 03766-1358 voice: 603-443-6155 fax: 801-459-9582
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