![]() ![]() That is to say, lambda calculus can be used to solve any problem that can be computed using a Turing machine (so anything that anyone has ever programmed with a computer)! Lambda calculus basics any problem that can by solved using a Turing machine can be solved using lambda calculus, and vice versa. While lambda calculus is rather different to the Turing machine in its approach to computation, the two are formally equivalent - ie. The computational model most of us are familiar with is the Turing machine. By that, I mean that it is a system which can be used to encode and compute algorithmic problems. Lambda calculus was invented by the mathematician Alonzo Church in the 1930s, and is what is known as a ‘computational model’. Lambda calculus is an interesting area of mathematics, and is relatively accessible to those with a minimal maths background. Many concepts from lambda calculus are applicable to general purpose languages such as JavaScript.Ĭoncepts such as pure functions, unary functions and currying are used in many general purpose programming languages, and are often used in functional JavaScript. Understanding lambda calculus will help you to understand these languages. The internals of many functional programming languages such as Haskell, are heavily based on lambda calculus It embodies some of the most important concepts of functional programmingįor example, pure functions, unary functions, currying. There are a few reasons to learn lambda calculus, the main ones I can think of are: If after reading this you are interested in learning more about functional programming in JavaScript, I recommend this Udemy course (affiliate link):įunctional Programming For Beginners With JavaScript Why should I learn lambda calculus? In this article I want to look at what lambda calculus is, why you might want to learn about it, and explain the key concepts and the terminology of lambda calculus using both lambda syntax and ‘equivalent’ JavaScript code snippets. ![]() One of the main areas of study that is often cited as significant for functional programmers is lambda calculus. Alternatively, GHC ( Glasgow Haskell Compiler) provides the practical complete package of a Haskell interpreter and compiler.I have recently become very interested in functional programming - using pure functional languages such as Haskell, as well as functional programming in JavaScript. One of the best known examples is the interpreter Hugs, which is no longer actively developed. For a simple introduction to the Haskell programming language, this is preferable in any case. An interactive system has the advantage of providing a suitable command line in which you can experiment directly and evaluate expressions. Since Haskell is also a kind of standard for functional programming languages, learning it is also worthwhile if you want to build up a general know-how of functional programming.Īs with many other languages, you have two options for processing Haskell code: in batches with a compiler or interactively with an interpreter. In addition, you are well prepared if you have to deal with third-party applications that are written in Haskell. Learning Haskell can pay off for several reasons: First, you can subsequently program your own software solutions in Haskell, provided that the language is suitable as a basis. Typical examples are applications for network security, specification frameworks for embedded systems, and programs for modeling complex mathematical calculations. In industries in which the exact mapping of mathematical algorithms is required, Haskell is commonly chosen as a programming language. Haskell’s strengths also come into play when it comes to developing specifications and prototypes that can actually be executed, and thus tested and debugged. The functional language is particularly predestined for programs that should offer a high degree of modifiability and ease of maintenance.
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