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Re:Functional programming is not popular because it is weird... by _dain_ on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @05:11AM (#28522114)
There is a functional programming language that is coupled to a platform, that most people on HackerNews wouldn't think of: the M language for PowerQuery. It is used to make ETL pipelines for Excel (and I think other Microsoft apps?). It is very popular, although among people who don't consider themselves "programmers" or "software engineers", but rather analysts.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/

In fact, Excel itself can be considered a functional, reactive programming environment, and if we grant that, then it is the most popular programming language on the planet.

Re:Functional programming is not popular because it is weird... by rkangel on Tuesday September 14, 2021 @06:00AM (#28522447)
It has just occurred to me that Excel is an excellent example of a functional language to use to explain to people who don't understand what functional languages are.