Functional Programming - Why Do We Need It and What Is It About?

Functional programming, one of the primary programming paradigms, offers a unique perspective on software creation by emphasizing the use of functions as the core building blocks of programs. Unlike standard imperative programming, which focuses on how to achieve goals through instructions, functional programming emphasizes what the program should do by expressing computations as functions. The article by Li Haoyi explores key features of functional programming, such as immutability of data, higher-order functions, and lazily evaluated expressions, which contribute to more understandable and modular code. Using such techniques can lead to fewer errors, as the code becomes more predictable and easier to test and maintain. The author also discusses scenarios where functional programming may be beneficial and what foundations are necessary to become proficient in this programming style.