Re:Hey, C Is a Functional Language Too
by Evbn on Friday November 02, 2012 @10:59AM
(#4732916)
I think you at mixing words that look similar. It is a large problem in this sort of discussion:
Pure functions. (Only Haskell and friends are strictly pure, as is SQL if you squint.)
Higher order functions. (Java 7 doesn't allow you to pass around a callable function without embedding a link language with reflection or using one-method Runnable.)
First class functions. (Basic, SQL do not have this.)
Generic functions. (C does not have this. C++ does. Java does.)
These are three orthogonal properties a Lang age may have some or all of.
Pure functions. (Only Haskell and friends are strictly pure, as is SQL if you squint.)
Higher order functions. (Java 7 doesn't allow you to pass around a callable function without embedding a link language with reflection or using one-method Runnable.)
First class functions. (Basic, SQL do not have this.)
Generic functions. (C does not have this. C++ does. Java does.)
These are three orthogonal properties a Lang age may have some or all of.