Why functional programming?

• Because we want modularity

• Gluing functions together

  • Interchangeable parts

  • Assembly of complicated functions from simpler ones

A little modularisation can go a long way.

• Gluing whole programs together

  • Lazy computation

  • Dataflow and process-driven computation

Lazy evaluation is perhaps the most powerful tool for modularisation in the functional programmer's repertoire.

• Why Functional Programming Matters, Hughes