When a computer program solve a problem with data that never change and so the state but instead new values of data are created every time (i.e. like for primitive types in Java and C#) as in mathematics operations, then it is said to have a functional style, it follow the functional paradigm.
Some problem (solution) can be best expressed by a program with a functional style, some other problem can be best expressed by a procedural style (where state change over time) and for some other problem it is just a matter of personal preferences. Human brain has a wide range of built-in and learned strategies to deal with changing state metaphor, that's why procedural style is chosen often.
Source: Implementation Patterns, Kent Beck, 2007
Print | posted @ giovedì 11 novembre 2010 00:49