well it turned out that the cs topic of this first semester at university will be functional programming using SML/NJ
i downloaded the interpreter and worked trough an online tutorial to get the basics...turns out this SML really sucks when you are used to imperative languages, especially C++ with it''s low-level power.
But now in SML there are no such things as variables or loops anymore, and i have no control over the inner workings and memory managment of a program. I really don''t like it much yet, but since it''s important now i''ll have to deal with it
Anyway, my question is if anyone who studied it (i hear it''s taught at a lot of universities) can give me an opinion for a good book about it.
Our professor''s list of recommended books is mostly stuff like ''Learning programming using SML'' and so on, but since i have years of experience in imperative languages i''m rather looking for something more involved, that drops the whole ''introduction to programming/what is programming/what is a computer'' like parts.
The professors recommendation for us experienced people was L.C. Paulson: ML for the Working Programmer. Cambridge University Press 1991
so i''m wondering if anyone read it and thinks it''s good or has some other recommendation for me
thanks
P.S: and please don''t point me to any tutorials...i doubt a 5 page tutorial has the same value as a 500 page book
Runicsoft -- home of my open source Function Parser and more
I feel your pain. I had a short section on Scheme and ML in a programming languages course. Trying to do functional programming when you are used to procedural/OO languages can be confusing.
The key to functional programming is to make lots of functions. Everywhere you would place a variable, use a function call. Keep the functions small, and if one gets too big, factor it into other functions.
At least its not Prolog.
University is a fountain of knowledge, and students go there to drink.
The key to functional programming is to make lots of functions. Everywhere you would place a variable, use a function call. Keep the functions small, and if one gets too big, factor it into other functions.
At least its not Prolog.
University is a fountain of knowledge, and students go there to drink.
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