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Return – Haskell
For newcomers to Haskell, the return function can be confusing, especially for those transitioning from imperative programming languages where return is used to exit a function and provide a result. In Haskell, return means something entirely different. It’s a fundamental concept in monadic programming, and understanding its role is key to mastering Haskell. This article…
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Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)
Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), also known as postfix notation, is a mathematical notation in which operators follow their operands. In relation to Haskell, RPN is not a core language feature but is relevant when implementing or understanding stack-based computations or evaluating expressions using a stack. It is often encountered in the context of parsing, expression…
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Recursive SNARKs
Recursive SNARKs (Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) are an advanced cryptographic technology being explored and implemented on Cardano to enhance scalability and privacy. In simple terms, recursive SNARKs allow multiple computations to be compressed into a single, compact proof that can be verified efficiently. This has transformative potential for blockchain systems like Cardano by enabling…
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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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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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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…
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Exceptions – Haskell
In Haskell, exceptions provide a way to handle errors or unexpected situations during runtime, such as file I/O failures, network errors, or division by zero. While Haskell is primarily known for its strong type system and use of Maybe and Either to handle errors explicitly, exceptions are still necessary for dealing with unforeseen errors and…
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Bytestrings – Haskell
In Haskell, strings are typically represented as lists of characters ([Char]). However, this representation can be inefficient, especially when working with large amounts of text or binary data. For high-performance applications that involve file handling, networking, or binary processing, ByteStrings provide a more efficient way to work with raw data and text in Haskell. This…
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Functors – Haskell
In Haskell, functors are a key concept in the functional programming paradigm that enable you to apply a function to values inside a container-like structure without altering the structure itself. Functors provide a way to map over data structures in a consistent and generalized way. Understanding functors is crucial because they allow you to write…
