Special Topics:

Basic concepts in functional programming

Short abstract of the course:
Every computer scientist has to advance his skills from basic programming steps to a higher level of programming knowledge. The latter includes using algorithms as tools for problem solving tasks, using advanced programming constructs and becoming adaptive to heterogeneous programming environments.

In this course, we will become acquainted with functional approach to programming. We will use Standard ML to learn about different type systems, lexical and dynamic scoping, and function closures. Our goal will be to achieve a deeper understanding into different approaches to programming and therewith improve our programming skills.

Prerequisites for taking this course is being familiar with basic programming constructs and being proficient in arbitrary object-oriented programming language, such as C++, Java or Python.

Lecturer

Ass.-Prof. Dr. Zoran Bosnic
University of Ljubljana
Zoran Bosnic

Dates

Contents

- introduction into Standard ML
- using simple and building complex data types
- variable context
- pattern matching and nesting patterns
- higher order functions, map/reduce/filter
- function closures, partial function applications, currying

Course material

Downloads

Recommended literature

- Michael R. Hansen, Hans Rischel: Introduction to Programming using SML. Addison-Wesley, 1999.

Exam

Students will have to do a project and send it to the lecturer. The marks for this course will be based on the project.