Just do it

[wtd]

Learn a functional programming language.

Take a few hours and just throw yourself into a functional programming language. O'Caml, SML/NJ, Lisp, Scheme, Erlang... just pick one and learn the basics. For the most part, these language have small conceptual bases, so you can learn more in that amount of time than you might think.

It's worth it, but I don't know that I can explain the benefits more than I already have. You'll just have to see for yourselves.

[cool dude]

which one would you say is the easiest to learn? are all those free and if so any links for download? also you said you explained the benefits before, mind providing the link where u posted that?

[wtd]

Which is easiest to learn? They're all fairly easy to learn, with good REPLs.* They're all possible for anyone here to learn, if you go in with an open mind.

http://caml.inria.fr
http://www.smlnj.org/
http://clisp.cons.org/ (http://www.cygwin.com/ - Cygwin provides the easiest way to install on Windows)
http://www.drscheme.org/
http://www.erlang.org/

I've posted about the fun and advantages of functional programming many many times. I really don't feel like hunting all of it down. Try using the site' search function with some of the language names I've mentioned.

* REPL = Read-Eval-Print Loop: an interactive interpreter

[cool dude]

i tried installing clisp but i don't know how any help? also is this like a programming language where there's a window where i write code and then compile and run it?

[cool dude]

nevermind i think i did it. any good tutorials?

P.S. wats the difference between Clisp and lisp?

also is there a way to save things?

[wtd]

For Common Lisp, I highly reccomend reading through Practical Common Lisp. It's available online for free.

http://www.gigamonkeys.com/book

[cool dude]

Thanks a lot for the link. 2 questions

1) a bit confused what is the language called lisp or clisp???

2) since its a functional programming language can u get user input?

[[Gandalf]]

I assume that "what" should be a "why"? In that case...

1) Lisp is a shortened form of List Processing, and Clisp is short for Common Lisp. I suggest you do some reading if you want to find out more, since that's usually the first big step in learning.
2) Yes it can, and many many other things as well.

[wtd]

It should be noted that none of the languages I mentioned are what are considered "pure" functional programming languages. Pure functional programming languages guarantee referential integrity.* As such they can make things like IO cumbersome or require advanced knowledge to fully understand.

However, all of the languages mentioned provide significant levels of support for other concepts considered central to functional programming.

* In short - a function given the same arguments always returns the same value.

[bugzpodder]

i learnt scheme once upon a time. didnt find any use for it so i hardly remembers now

[wtd]

Those wishing for help in approaching functional programming, please see the Conceptual Bridge thread.

It is, however, a work in progress. Revisit it and you will probably find new material.

[1of42]

wtd: what languages are purely functional? haskell?

[wtd]

Haskell is, yes.

I do not necessarily suggest you try to make your first foray into functional programming using such a language.

[rdrake]

1of42 wrote:

wtd: what languages are purely functional? haskell?

Haskell and o'caml are two big ones. Step into the IRC channel some time, wtd can often be seen cleaning up the brains off the floor .

[wtd]

rdrake wrote:

1of42 wrote:

wtd: what languages are purely functional? haskell?

Haskell and o'caml are two big ones. Step into the IRC channel some time, wtd can often be seen cleaning up the brains off the floor .

O'Caml, nifty though it is, is not a purely functional programming language.