Introduction to Functional Programming

Overview & Synopsis

John Harrisons Introduction to Functional Programming, This set of notes provides a very accessible introduction to the fundamental principles and methods of functional programming in general. The PDF begins with an investigation of lambda calculus as a theoretical framework for functional programming and proceeds further with the review of its application as a programming language. Types are considered in the notes just to give a glimpse into type systems and how they play their role in functional programming. This document serves as an introduction to ML, a metalanguage that practically introduces the concepts of programming. It also covers the importance of proving programs correct by describing methods for the reliability of programs. Finally, effective ML covers the best practices and techniques to write robust and efficient functional programs. This book is a good reference for learners who want to understand both the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of functional programming.