Sunday, May 10, 2009 8:51 PM
by
RickM
Discoveries This Week 05/10/2009
More links this week with alternatives to if-else logic, Algebraic Data Types, and rumors of F# beta 1. I’ve also included a roundup of known F# User Groups. With the number of groups going from 0 to 3 in only two months, it’s easy to see the amount of excitement that F# is generating in the .NET community.
Let me give you a simple example of how functional programming can save time in a scenario that happens in any kind of development.
Using choose for branching is quite a clever way to deal with messy if-else logic. Be sure to scroll down and see Jarle Stabell’s use of Seq.first in the same way. I had never previously considered using sequences in this way and I love how concise it is. An additional benefit in using this technique is that it would be trivial to inject additional branches.
With the spreading popularity of languages like F# and Haskell, many people are encountering the concept of an algebraic data type for the first time. When that term is produced without explanation, it almost invariably becomes a source of confusion.
I learned much about the nature of Abstract Data Types from this article. Over the next week I hope to find the time to read some of the additional links Kalani provides in the comments section.
The next release, beta 1, is due out this month and a beta 2 is scheduled for release before the full 2010 release next year.
Obviously, news of F#’s demise has been greatly exaggerated (I hadn't even heard the rumor). I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to get their hands on beta 1.
F# Related Gatherings Roundup
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