The Basics of Functional Programming For Beginners

Functional programming is a type of programming language focused on making applications easier to write and maintain. It is an approach to software development in which the core design idea is to write code in a "functional" way, rather than object-oriented or procedural. This type of code is often used to solve complex problems, like those associated with financial analysis, big data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. In this article, we will discuss some of the basics of functional programming. We will look at how it works, how it can help you, and some of the resources available to get you started.

What is Functional Programming?

Functional programming is a programming paradigm in which functions are used to express an application’s logic. It is focused on using pure functions with no side effects. Pure functions are functions that return the same result every time they are called and do not have any other effects on the system. Functions can also be composed to create larger, more complex functions. This allows for shorter and cleaner code, as well as easier testing and debugging.

Functional programming is also used to write programs that are easily distributed and reused in different environments. This is because functions don’t rely on global variables or related state, which can be difficult to manage in a distributed environment.

Why Learn Functional Programming?

Functional programming is a powerful tool for software developers. It can make code easier to read and maintain, and also promotes code reuse and makes code more modular. Additionally, as applications get increasingly complex, functional programming provides a way to write efficient code. It also enables developers to write code that better parallelizes, allowing for better use of processing power.

What Languages are Used for Functional Programming?

Some of the most popular languages used in functional programming are:

• Haskell
• Scala
• Clojure
• F#
• OCaml
• Elm
• Erlang
• Racket

Other popular languages that have support for functional programming are Python, JavaScript, and Java.

Where to Learn Functional Programming?

There are a number of resources available online to help you get started with functional programming. Here are some of the best:

Youtube Channels

• F# Avenue
• Clojure TV
• Elm Street
• Functional Programmer
• OCaml for Beginners

Websites

• Functional Programming Academy
• Functional Programming Solutions
• Functional Programming Tutorials
• Functional Programming Tips
• Functional Programming Reference

Conclusion

Functional programming is a powerful technique for writing code that can solve complex problems. It is also used to ensure that code is more re-usable and easier to maintain. Learning functional programming opens up a world of possibilities and can help you become a more proficient and efficient programmer. With the resources available online, learning functional programming is easier than ever before. So go ahead and get started!