Explore tacit programming and the "point-free" style in this 36-minute Strange Loop Conference talk. Dive into the world of function definitions without explicit arguments, focusing on languages like Haskell, OCaml, and F#. Examine the benefits and drawbacks of point-free syntax, learning when it enhances code abstraction and when it may hinder clarity. Master eta-reduction techniques to create tacit definitions, and develop intuition for their expressive power. Investigate the presence of point-free programming in established libraries and trace its origins to John Backus' function-level programming. Discover how languages like Joy and J amplify the concept of tacit programming, pushing the boundaries of implicit coding. Gain a comprehensive understanding of this programming paradigm, weighing its merits and applications in modern software development.
Overview
Syllabus
"Point-Free or Die: Tacit Programming in Haskell and Beyond" by Amar Shah
Taught by
Strange Loop Conference