News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The Algebra of Data and the Calculus of Mutation.

Re:The Algebra of Data and the Calculus of Mutation by swift on Wednesday April 27, 2011 @04:18PM (#2490934)
This is a great explanation of algebraic datatypes!

The notion of one-hole context, its connection to differentiation, and its application to zippers is really interesting stuff. Another (much more detailed) discussion of it can be found here: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Haskell/Zippers

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Algebra of Data and the Calculus of Mutation by calebmpeterson on Wednesday April 27, 2011 @10:55PM (#2491905)
Agreed, the "if this looks like a derivative it's because it is" punchline made my jaw drop. I <i>never</i> expected to see calculus show up when discussing ADT's and mutation.

The notion is so contrary to the way I'm used to thinking about programming and yet so appropriate given that mutation is change and a derivative describes the rate of change.

I want some more!

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The Algebra of Data and the Calculus of Mutation by magoghm on Thursday April 28, 2011 @09:57AM (#2493299)
"A true hero, Theseus chose Haskell as the language..." LOL!
[ Parent | on HN ]