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Binary Function – Haskell
A binary function in Haskell is a function that takes two arguments and returns a result. In Haskell, functions are inherently curried, meaning a binary function can be thought of as a function that takes one argument and returns another function expecting the second argument. Characteristics of Binary Functions in Haskell This means: 2. Curried…
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Monoids – Haskell
Monoids are a fundamental concept in Haskell, often used in functional programming to model and work with combining operations. They provide a simple and elegant way to represent values that can be combined together in an associative manner, along with a neutral “identity” element. In this article, we’ll explore what monoids are, how they work…
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Type vs. Newtype vs. Data in Haskell
Haskell provides multiple ways to define custom types: type, newtype, and data. Each serves a distinct purpose and is optimized for specific use cases. While they can sometimes appear interchangeable, understanding their differences is crucial for writing efficient, type-safe, and expressive Haskell code. This article will explore the key distinctions between type, newtype, and data,…
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What’s the difference between a Value, Type, and Data Constructor in Haskell?
In Haskell, terms like value constructor, type constructor, and data constructor often arise when discussing types and data structures. These terms relate to how Haskell’s type system and data declarations work. While the concepts are interconnected, they serve distinct purposes. Let’s break them down: 1. Type Constructor A type constructor is used to define new…
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Newtype Keyword – Haskell
Haskell provides several ways to define custom types, including data, type, and newtype. Among these, the newtype keyword offers a lightweight way to create a new type that wraps an existing type. While it might seem similar to data or type at first glance, newtype has unique properties that make it both efficient and useful…
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What’s the difference between functors and applicatives (applicative functors)?
In Haskell, both functors and applicative functors are abstractions for working with values in a context, such as Maybe, List, or IO. While they are closely related, applicative functors extend the capabilities of functors, enabling more complex operations that require multiple values in a context. Let’s explore the differences between the two concepts and how…
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Do Syntax – Haskell
In Haskell, the do syntax provides a way to write sequential operations in a style that looks imperative, even though Haskell is a purely functional language. This syntax is particularly useful when working with monads, as it allows you to chain actions in a readable and manageable way. The do notation simplifies code by allowing…
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Purity & Pure – Haskell
Haskell is a purely functional language, meaning that functions are expected to be “pure” and behave in predictable ways without side effects. This concept of purity is central to Haskell and has profound implications for how programs are written, understood, and maintained. Haskell also has a function called pure, which is part of the Applicative…
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Applicative Functors – Haskell
Applicative functors, or simply Applicatives, are a fundamental concept in Haskell that bridge the gap between Functors and Monads. Applicative functors allow us to apply functions wrapped in a context (like Maybe, List, or IO) to values that are also wrapped in a context. They add a layer of flexibility to functional programming in Haskell,…
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Parameterized Algebraic Data Types – Haskell
Haskell’s algebraic data types (ADTs) are fundamental to the language’s type system, providing a powerful way to define custom data structures that represent complex information. Parameterized ADTs, sometimes known as generic types, add an extra layer of flexibility by allowing these data types to work with different types as parameters. This enables Haskell developers to…
