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Scala code examples for Functional Programming Jargon
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Functional Programming Jargon
Functional programming (FP) provides many advantages, and its popularity has been increasing as a result. However, each programming paradigm comes with its own unique jargon and FP is no exception. By providing a glossary, we hope to make learning FP easier.
Examples are presented in Scala. Why Scala 3?
This is a WIP; please feel free to send a PR ;)
Where applicable, this document uses terms defined in the Fantasy Land spec
Translations
Table of Contents
<!-- RM(noparent,notop) -->- Arity
- Higher-Order Functions (HOF)
- Partial Application
- Currying
- Closure
- Auto Currying
- Function Composition
- Continuation
- Purity
- Side effects
- Idempotent
- Point-Free Style
- Predicate
- Contracts
- Category
- Value
- Constant
- Functor
- Pointed Functor
- Lift
- Referential Transparency
- Equational Reasoning
- Lambda
- Lambda Calculus
- Lazy evaluation
- Monoid
- Monad
- Comonad
- Applicative Functor
- Morphism
- Setoid
- Semigroup
- Foldable
- Lens
- Type Signatures
- Algebraic data type
- Option
- Functional Programming Libraries in Scala
Arity
The number of arguments a function takes. From words like unary, binary, ternary, etc. This word has the distinction of being composed of two suffixes, "-ary" and "-ity." Addition, for example, takes two arguments, and so it is defined as a binary function or a function with an arity of two. Such a function may sometimes be called "dyadic" by people who prefer Greek roots to Latin. Likewise, a function that takes a variable number of arguments is called "variadic," whereas a binary function must be given two and only two arguments, currying and partial application notwithstanding (see below).
val sum = (a : Int, b: Int) => a + b // The arity of sum is 2
// sum: (Int, Int) => Int = $$Lambda$6089/41702096@2b0a78f5
Higher-Order Functions (HOF)
A function which takes a function as an argument and/or returns a function.
val filter = (predicate: Int => Boolean, xs: List[Int]) => xs.filter(predicate)
// filter: (Int => Boolean, List[Int]) => List[Int] = $$Lambda$6101/1664822486@6c2961d4
val isEven = (x: Int) => x % 2 == 0
// isEven: Int => Boolean = $$Lambda$6102/1380731259@7caf5594
filter(isEven, List(1, 2, 3, 4, 5))
// res0: List[Int] = List(2, 4)
Partial Application
Partially applying a function means creating a new function by pre-filling some of the arguments to the original function.
// Something to apply
val add3 = (a: Int, b: Int, c: Int) => a + b + c
// add3: (Int, Int, Int) => Int = $$Lambda$6104/749395786@26f51ccc
// Partially applying `2` and `3` to `add3` gives you a one-argument function
val fivePlus = add3(2, 3, _: Int) // (c) => 2 + 3 + c
// fivePlus: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6105/747846882@57c90a91
fivePlus(4)
// res3: Int = 9
Partial application helps create simpler functions from more complex ones by baking in data when you have it. Curried functions are automatically partially applied.
Currying
The process of converting a function that takes multiple arguments into a function that takes them one at a time.
Each time the function is called it only accepts one argument and returns a function that takes one argument until all arguments are passed.
val sum = (a : Int, b: Int) => a + b
// sum: (Int, Int) => Int = $$Lambda$6106/477864989@f720751
val curriedSum = (a: Int) => (b: Int) => a + b
// curriedSum: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6107/1895392220@447d87e6
curriedSum(40)(2) // 42.
// res4: Int = 42
val add2 = curriedSum(2) // (b) => 2 + b
// add2: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6108/1784411761@45922de3
add2(10) // 12
// res5: Int = 12
Closure
A closure is a way of accessing a variable outside its scope. Formally, a closure is a technique for implementing lexically scoped named binding. It is a way of storing a function with an environment.
A closure is a scope which captures local variables of a function for access even after the execution has moved out of the block in which it is defined. ie. they allow referencing a scope after the block in which the variables were declared has finished executing.
val addTo = (x :Int) => (y: Int) => x + y
// addTo: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6109/741101144@c019bed
val addToFive = addTo(5)
// addToFive: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6110/1430362686@30d35a2d
addToFive(3) // returns 8
// res6: Int = 8
The function addTo()
returns a function(internally called add()
), lets store it in a variable called addToFive
with a curried call having parameter 5.
Ideally, when the function addTo
finishes execution, its scope, with local variables add, x, y should not be accessible. But, it returns 8 on calling addToFive()
. This means that the state of the function addTo
is saved even after the block of code has finished executing, otherwise there is no way of knowing that addTo
was called as addTo(5)
and the value of x was set to 5.
Lexical scoping is the reason why it is able to find the values of x and add - the private variables of the parent which has finished executing. This value is called a Closure.
The stack along with the lexical scope of the function is stored in form of reference to the parent. This prevents the closure and the underlying variables from being garbage collected(since there is at least one live reference to it).
Lambda Vs Closure: A lambda is essentially a function that is defined inline rather than the standard method of declaring functions. Lambdas can frequently be passed around as objects.
A closure is a function that encloses its surrounding state by referencing fields external to its body. The enclosed state remains across invocations of the closure.
Further reading/Sources
Auto Currying
Transforming a function that takes multiple arguments into one that if given less than its correct number of arguments returns a function that takes the rest. When the function gets the correct number of arguments it is then evaluated.
lodash & Ramda have a curry
function that works this way.
val add = (x: Int, y: Int) => x + y
// add: (Int, Int) => Int = $$Lambda$6111/885864900@6fc805b3
val curriedAdd = add.curried
// curriedAdd: Int => (Int => Int) = scala.Function2$$Lambda$3285/878350569@583d1436
curriedAdd(2) // (y) => 2 + y
// res7: Int => Int = scala.Function2$$Lambda$3286/1189535279@75c6a7a5
curriedAdd(1)(2) // 3
// res8: Int = 3
Further reading
Function Composition
The act of putting two functions together to form a third function where the output of one function is the input of the other.
def compose[A, B, C](f: B => C, g: A => B) = (a: A) => f(g(a)) // Definition
// compose: [A, B, C](f: B => C, g: A => B)A => C
val floorAndToString = compose((x: Double) => x.toString, math.floor) // Usage
// floorAndToString: Double => String = $$Lambda$6114/392323038@14236e09
floorAndToString(121.212121) // '121.0'
// res9: String = 121.0
Continuation
At any given point in a program, the part of the code that's yet to be executed is known as a continuation.
def printAsString(num: Int) = println(s"Given $num")
// printAsString: (num: Int)Unit
val printAsString= (num: Int) => println(s"Given $num")
// printAsString: Int => Unit = $$Lambda$6115/353404609@582dea2f
val addOneAndContinue = (num: Int, cc: Int => Any) => {
val result = num + 1
cc(result)
}
// addOneAndContinue: (Int, Int => Any) => Any = $$Lambda$6116/209832866@9488095
addOneAndContinue(2, printAsString)
// Given 3
// res10: Any = ()
Continuations are often seen in asynchronous programming when the program needs to wait to receive data before it can continue. The response is often passed off to the rest of the program, which is the continuation, once it's been received.
def continueProgramWith(data: String) = {
// Continues program with data
}
// continueProgramWith: (data: String)Unit
def readFileAsync(file: String, cb: (Option[Throwable], String) => Unit) = {}
// readFileAsync: (file: String, cb: (Option[Throwable], String) => Unit)Unit
readFileAsync("path/to/file", (err, response) => {
if (err.isDefined) {
// handle error
()
}
continueProgramWith(response)
})
Purity
A function is pure if the return value is only determined by its input values, and does not produce side effects.
val greet = (name: String) => s"Hi, ${name}"
// greet: String => String = $$Lambda$6118/976300008@d803871
greet("Brianne")
// res12: String = Hi, Brianne
As opposed to each of the following:
var name = "Brianne"
// name: String = Brianne
def greet = () => s"Hi, ${name}"
// greet: () => String
greet()
// res13: String = Hi, Brianne
The above example's output is based on data stored outside of the function...
var greeting: String = _
// greeting: String = null
val greet = (name: String) => {
greeting = s"Hi, ${name}"
}
// greet: String => Unit = $$Lambda$6120/1120068379@6bf02320
greet("Brianne")
greeting
// res15: String = Hi, Brianne
... and this one modifies state outside of the function.
Side effects
A function or expression is said to have a side effect if apart from returning a value, it interacts with (reads from or writes to) external mutable state.
import java.util.Date
// import java.util.Date
def differentEveryTime = new Date()
// differentEveryTime: java.util.Date
println("IO is a side effect!")
// IO is a side effect!
Idempotent
A function is idempotent if reapplying it to its result does not produce a different result.
f(f(x)) ≍ f(x)
math.abs(math.abs(10))
// res17: Int = 10
def sort[A: Ordering](xs: List[A]) = xs.sorted
// sort: [A](xs: List[A])(implicit evidence$1: Ordering[A])List[A]
sort(sort(sort(List(2, 1))))
// res18: List[Int] = List(1, 2)
Point-Free Style
Writing functions where the definition does not explicitly identify the arguments used. This style usually requires currying or other Higher-Order functions. A.K.A Tacit programming.
// Given
def map[A, B](fn: A => B) = (list: List[A]) => list.map(fn)
// map: [A, B](fn: A => B)List[A] => List[B]
val add = (a: Int) => (b: Int) => a + b
// add: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6121/1340871739@61a102c5
// Then
// Not points-free - `numbers` is an explicit argument
val incrementAll = (numbers: List[Int]) => map(add(1))(numbers)
// incrementAll: List[Int] => List[Int] = $$Lambda$6122/1403313951@7e5972fd
// Points-free - The list is an implicit argument
val incrementAll2 = map(add(1))
// incrementAll2: List[Int] => List[Int] = $$Lambda$6124/221818483@221baf45
incrementAll
identifies and uses the parameter numbers
, so it is not points-free. incrementAll2
is written just by combining functions and values, making no mention of its arguments. It is points-free.
Points-free function definitions look just like normal assignments without function
or =>
.
Predicate
A predicate is a function that returns true or false for a given value. A common use of a predicate is as the callback for array filter.
val predicate = (a: Int) => a > 2
// predicate: Int => Boolean = $$Lambda$6125/2085181758@1e842ab7
List(1, 2, 3, 4).filter(predicate)
// res24: List[Int] = List(3, 4)
Contracts
A contract specifies the obligations and guarantees of the behavior from a function or expression at runtime. This acts as a set of rules that are expected from the input and output of a function or expression, and errors are generally reported whenever a contract is violated.
scala> // Define our contract : int -> int
| def contract[A](input: A): Boolean = input match {
| case _ : Int => true
| case _ => throw new Exception("Contract violated: expected int -> int")
| }
contract: [A](input: A)Boolean
scala> def addOne[A](num: A): Int = {
| contract(num)
| num.asInstanceOf[Int] + 1
| }
addOne: [A](num: A)Int
scala> addOne(2) // 3
res26: Int = 3
scala> addOne("some string") // Contract violated: expected int -> int
java.lang.Exception: Contract violated: expected int -> int
at .contract(<console>:16)
at .addOne(<console>:15)
... 43 elided
Category
A category in category theory is a collection of objects and morphisms between them. In programming, typically types act as the objects and functions as morphisms.
To be a valid category 3 rules must be met:
- There must be an identity morphism that maps an object to itself.
Where
a
is an object in some category, there must be a function froma -> a
. - Morphisms must compose.
Where
a
,b
, andc
are objects in some category, andf
is a morphism froma -> b
, andg
is a morphism fromb -> c
;g(f(x))
must be equivalent to(g • f)(x)
. - Composition must be associative
f • (g • h)
is the same as(f • g) • h
Since these rules govern composition at very abstract level, category theory is great at uncovering new ways of composing things.
Further reading
Value
Anything that can be assigned to a variable.
case class Person(name: String, age: Int)
// defined class Person
5
// res28: Int = 5
Person("John", 30)
// res29: Person = Person(John,30)
(a: Any) => a
// res30: Any => Any = $$Lambda$6126/1828268232@117ca3b4
List(1)
// res31: List[Int] = List(1)
null
// res32: Null = null
Constant
A variable that cannot be reassigned once defined.
val five = 5
// five: Int = 5
val john = Person("John", 30)
// john: Person = Person(John,30)
Constants are referentially transparent. That is, they can be replaced with the values that they represent without affecting the result.
With the above two constants the following expression will always return true
.
john.age + five == Person("John", 30).age + 5
// res33: Boolean = true
Functor
An object that implements a map
function which, while running over each value in the object to produce a new object, adheres to two rules:
Preserves identity
object.map(x => x) ≍ object
Composable
object.map(compose(f, g)) ≍ object.map(g).map(f)
(f
, g
are arbitrary functions)
A common functor in JavaScript is Array
since it abides to the two functor rules:
List(1, 2, 3).map(x => x)
// res34: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 3)
and
val f = (x: Int) => x + 1
// f: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6128/977330834@2ef88643
val g = (x: Int) => x * 2
// g: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6129/739719665@1b4dfd52
List(1, 2, 3).map(x => f(g(x)))
// res35: List[Int] = List(3, 5, 7)
List(1, 2, 3).map(g).map(f)
// res36: List[Int] = List(3, 5, 7)
Pointed Functor
An Applicative with an pure
function that puts any single value into it.
cats adds Applicative#pure
making arrays a pointed functor.
import cats._
// import cats._
import cats.implicits._
// import cats.implicits._
Applicative[List].pure(1)
// res37: List[Int] = List(1)
Lift
Lifting is when you take a value and put it into an object like a functor. If you lift a function into an Applicative Functor then you can make it work on values that are also in that functor.
Some implementations have a function called lift
, or liftA2
to make it easier to run functions on functors.
def liftA2[F[_]: Monad, A, B, C](f: A => B => C)(a: F[A], b: F[B]) = {
a.map(f).ap(b)
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// liftA2: [F[_], A, B, C](f: A => (B => C))(a: F[A], b: F[B])(implicit evidence$1: cats.Monad[F])F[C]
val mult = (a: Int) => (b: Int) => a * b
// mult: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6131/1684188711@6840cae6
val liftedMult = liftA2[List, Int, Int, Int](mult) _
// liftedMult: (List[Int], List[Int]) => List[Int] = $$Lambda$6132/1015569705@69b98e8
liftedMult(List(1, 2), List(3))
// res38: List[Int] = List(3, 6)
liftA2((a: Int) => (b: Int) => a + b)(List(1, 2), List(3, 4))
// res39: List[Int] = List(4, 5, 5, 6)
Lifting a one-argument function and applying it does the same thing as map
.
val increment = (x: Int) => x + 1
// increment: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6137/1176025030@60dd7083
Applicative[List].lift(increment)(List(2))
// res40: List[Int] = List(3)
List(2).map(increment)
// res41: List[Int] = List(3)
Referential Transparency
An expression that can be replaced with its value without changing the behavior of the program is said to be referentially transparent.
Say we have function greet:
val greet = () => "Hello World!"
// greet: () => String = $$Lambda$6139/1754785613@1d1c9e6a
Any invocation of greet()
can be replaced with Hello World!
hence greet is
referentially transparent.
Equational Reasoning
When an application is composed of expressions and devoid of side effects, truths about the system can be derived from the parts.
Lambda
An anonymous function that can be treated like a value.
(_: Int) + 1
// res42: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6140/835760611@2344fbd6
(x: Int) => x + 1
// res43: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6141/605433877@12d4147c
Lambdas are often passed as arguments to Higher-Order functions.
List(1, 2).map(_ + 1)
// res44: List[Int] = List(2, 3)
You can assign a lambda to a variable.
val add1 = (a: Int) => a + 1
// add1: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6143/1533951980@6546b471
Lambda Calculus
A branch of mathematics that uses functions to create a universal model of computation.
Lazy evaluation
Lazy evaluation is a call-by-need evaluation mechanism that delays the evaluation of an expression until its value is needed. In functional languages, this allows for structures like infinite lists, which would not normally be available in an imperative language where the sequencing of commands is significant.
lazy val rand: Double = {
println("generate random value...")
math.random()
}
// rand: Double = <lazy>
rand // Each execution gives a random value, expression is evaluated on need.
// generate random value...
// res45: Double = 0.7668030551457087
Monoid
An object with a function that "combines" that object with another of the same type.
One simple monoid is the addition of numbers:
1 + 1
// res46: Int = 2
In this case number is the object and +
is the function.
An "identity" value must also exist that when combined with a value doesn't change it.
The identity value for addition is 0
.
1 + 0
// res47: Int = 1
It's also required that the grouping of operations will not affect the result (associativity):
1 + (2 + 3) == (1 + 2) + 3
// res48: Boolean = true
Array concatenation also forms a monoid:
List(1, 2) ::: List(3, 4)
// res49: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 3, 4)
The identity value is empty array []
List(1, 2) ::: List()
// res50: List[Int] = List(1, 2)
If identity and compose functions are provided, functions themselves form a monoid:
def identity[A](a: A): A = a
// identity: [A](a: A)A
def compose[A, B, C](f: B => C, g: A => B) = (a: A) => f(g(a)) // Definition
// compose: [A, B, C](f: B => C, g: A => B)A => C
foo
is any function that takes one argument.
compose(foo, identity) ≍ compose(identity, foo) ≍ foo
Monad
A monad is an object with pure
and flatMap
functions. flatMap
is like map
except it un-nests the resulting nested object.
// Implementation
trait Monad[F[_]] {
def pure[A](a: A): F[A]
def flatMap[A, B](fa: F[A])(f: A => F[B]): F[B]
def map[A, B](fa: F[A])(f: A => B): F[B]
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined trait Monad
// warning: previously defined object Monad is not a companion to trait Monad.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
object Monad {
def apply[F[_]](implicit ev: Monad[F]) = ev
implicit val listInstance: Monad[List] = new Monad[List] {
def pure[A](x: A) = List(x)
def flatMap[A, B](fa: List[A])(f: A => List[B]): List[B] =
fa.foldLeft(List[B]()) { (acc, x) => acc ::: f(x) }
def map[A, B](fa: List[A])(f: A => B): List[B] =
flatMap(fa)(x => pure(f(x)))
}
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined object Monad
// warning: previously defined trait Monad is not a companion to object Monad.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
import Monad._
// import Monad._
// Usage
Monad[List].flatMap(List("cat,dog", "fish,bird"))(a => a.split(",").toList)
// res53: List[String] = List(cat, dog, fish, bird)
// Contrast to map
Monad[List].map(List("cat,dog", "fish,bird"))(a => a.split(",").toList)
// res55: List[List[String]] = List(List(cat, dog), List(fish, bird))
pure
is also known as return
in other functional languages.
flatMap
is also known as bind
in other languages.
Comonad
An object that has extract
and coflatMap
functions.
trait Comonad[F[_]] {
def extract[A](x: F[A]): A
def coflatMap[A, B](fa: F[A])(f: F[A] => B): F[B]
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined trait Comonad
// warning: previously defined object Comonad is not a companion to trait Comonad.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
type Id[X] = X
// defined type alias Id
def id[X](x: X): Id[X] = x
// id: [X](x: X)Id[X]
object Comonad {
def apply[F[_]](implicit ev: Comonad[F]) = ev
implicit val idInstance: Comonad[Id] = new Comonad[Id] {
def extract[A](x: Id[A]): A = x
def coflatMap[A, B](fa: Id[A])(f: Id[A] => B): Id[B] = {
id(f(fa))
}
}
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined object Comonad
// warning: previously defined trait Comonad is not a companion to object Comonad.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
Extract takes a value out of a functor.
import Comonad._
// import Comonad._
Comonad[Id].extract(id(1))
// res56: Id[Int] = 1
Extend runs a function on the comonad. The function should return the same type as the comonad.
Comonad[Id].coflatMap[Int, Int](id(1))(co => Comonad[Id].extract(co) + 1)
// res57: Id[Int] = 2
Applicative Functor
An applicative functor is an object with an ap
function. ap
applies a function in the object to a value in another object of the same type.
// Implementation
trait Applicative[F[_]] {
def ap[A, B](ff: F[A => B])(fa: F[A]): F[B]
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined trait Applicative
// warning: previously defined object Applicative is not a companion to trait Applicative.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
object Applicative {
def apply[F[_]](implicit ev: Applicative[F]) = ev
implicit val listInstance = new Applicative[List] {
def ap[A, B](ff: List[A => B])(fa: List[A]): List[B] =
ff.foldLeft(List[B]()) { (acc, f) => acc ::: fa.map(f) }
}
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined object Applicative
// warning: previously defined trait Applicative is not a companion to object Applicative.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
import Applicative._
// import Applicative._
// Example usage
Applicative[List].ap(List((_: Int) + 1))(List(1))
// res60: List[Int] = List(2)
This is useful if you have two objects and you want to apply a binary function to their contents.
// Arrays that you want to combine
val arg1 = List(1, 3)
// arg1: List[Int] = List(1, 3)
val arg2 = List(4, 5)
// arg2: List[Int] = List(4, 5)
// combining function - must be curried for this to work
val add = (x: Int) => (y: Int) => x + y
// add: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6151/266874536@144646d8
val partiallyAppiedAdds = Applicative[List].ap(List(add))(arg1) // [(y) => 1 + y, (y) => 3 + y]
// partiallyAppiedAdds: List[Int => Int] = List($$Lambda$6152/226672465@6ff3ff0, $$Lambda$6152/226672465@677536aa)
This gives you an array of functions that you can call ap
on to get the result:
Applicative[List].ap(partiallyAppiedAdds)(arg2)
// res63: List[Int] = List(5, 6, 7, 8)
Morphism
A transformation function.
Endomorphism
A function where the input type is the same as the output.
// uppercase :: String -> String
val uppercase = (str: String) => str.toUpperCase
// uppercase: String => String = $$Lambda$6153/1625244377@4f348849
// decrement :: Number -> Number
val decrement = (x: Int) => x - 1
// decrement: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6154/147034451@797635f9
Isomorphism
A pair of transformations between 2 types of objects that is structural in nature and no data is lost.
For example, 2D coordinates could be stored as an array [2,3]
or object {x: 2, y: 3}
.
// Providing functions to convert in both directions makes them isomorphic.
case class Coords(x: Int, y: Int)
// defined class Coords
val pairToCoords = (pair: (Int, Int)) => Coords(pair._1, pair._2)
// pairToCoords: ((Int, Int)) => Coords = $$Lambda$6155/416347946@4d78afea
val coordsToPair = (coods: Coords) => (coods.x, coods.y)
// coordsToPair: Coords => (Int, Int) = $$Lambda$6156/905411695@26eed67a
coordsToPair(pairToCoords((1, 2)))
// res67: (Int, Int) = (1,2)
pairToCoords(coordsToPair(Coords(1, 2)))
// res68: Coords = Coords(1,2)
Setoid
An object that has an equals
function which can be used to compare other objects of the same type.
Make array a setoid:
trait Eq[A] {
def eqv(x: A, y: A): Boolean
}
// defined trait Eq
object Eq {
def apply[A](implicit ev: Eq[A]) = ev
implicit def arrayInstance[B]: Eq[Array[B]] = new Eq[Array[B]] {
def eqv(xs: Array[B], ys: Array[B]): Boolean =
xs.zip(ys).foldLeft(true) {
case (isEq, (x, y)) => isEq && x == y
}
}
implicit class EqOps[A](x: A) {
def eqv(y: A)(implicit ev: Eq[A]) =
ev.eqv(x, y)
}
}
// defined object Eq
// warning: previously defined trait Eq is not a companion to object Eq.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
import Eq._
// import Eq._
Array(1, 2) == Array(1, 2)
// res69: Boolean = false
Array(1, 2).eqv(Array(1, 2))
// res70: Boolean = true
Array(1, 2).eqv(Array(0))
// res71: Boolean = false
Semigroup
An object that has a combine
function that combines it with another object of the same type.
trait Semigroup[A] {
def combine(x: A, y: A): A
}
// defined trait Semigroup
object Semigroup {
def apply[A](implicit ev: Semigroup[A]) = ev
implicit def listInstance[B]: Semigroup[List[B]] = new Semigroup[List[B]] {
def combine(x: List[B], y: List[B]): List[B] = x ::: y
}
implicit class SemigroupOps[A](x: A) {
def combine(y: A)(implicit ev: Semigroup[A]): A = ev.combine(x, y)
}
}
// defined object Semigroup
// warning: previously defined trait Semigroup is not a companion to object Semigroup.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
import Semigroup._
// import Semigroup._
Semigroup[List[Int]].combine(List(1), List(2))
// res0: List[Int] = List(1, 2)
Semigroup must be closed under associativity and arbitrary products. (x·y)·z = x·(y·z) for all x, y and z in the semigroup.
List(1).combine(List(2)).combine(List(3))
// res1: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 3)
List(1).combine(List(2).combine(List(3)))
// res2: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 3)
Foldable
An object that has a foldr/l
function that can transform that object into some other type.
trait Foldable[F[_]] {
def foldLeft[A, B](fa: F[A], b: B)(f: (B, A) => B): B
def foldRight[A, B](fa: F[A], b: B)(f: (A, B) => B): B
}
// warning: there was one feature warning; for details, enable `:setting -feature' or `:replay -feature'
// defined trait Foldable
object Foldable {
def apply[F[_]](implicit ev: Foldable[F]) = ev
implicit val listInstance = new Foldable[List]{
def foldLeft[A, B](fa: List[A], b: B)(f: (B, A) => B): B = fa match {
case x :: xs => foldLeft(xs, f(b, x))(f)
case Nil => b
}
def foldRight[A, B](fa: List[A], b: B)(f: (A, B) => B): B = fa match {
case x :: xs => f(x, foldRight(xs, b)(f))
case Nil => b
}
}
}
// defined object Foldable
import Foldable._
// import Foldable._
def sum[A](xs: List[A])(implicit N: Numeric[A]) : A =
Foldable[List].foldLeft(xs, N.zero) {
case (acc, x) => N.plus(acc, x)
}
// sum: [A](xs: List[A])(implicit N: Numeric[A])A
sum(List(1, 2, 3))
// res3: Int = 6
Lens
A lens is a structure (often an object or function) that pairs a getter and a non-mutating setter for some other data structure.
import cats.Functor
// import cats.Functor
import monocle.PLens
// import monocle.PLens
import monocle.Lens
// import monocle.Lens
// Using [Monocle's lens](https://github.com/julien-truffaut/Monocle)
// S the source of a PLens
// T the modified source of a PLens
// A the target of a PLens
// B the modified target of a PLens
abstract class PLens[S, T, A, B] {
/** get the target of a PLens */
def get(s: S): A
/** set polymorphically the target of a PLens using a function */
def set(b: B): S => T
/** modify polymorphically the target of a PLens using Functor function */
def modifyF[F[_]: Functor](f: A => F[B])(s: S): F[T]
/** modify polymorphically the target of a PLens using a function */
def modify(f: A => B): S => T
}
// defined class PLens
// warning: previously defined object PLens is not a companion to class PLens.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
object Lens {
/** alias for [[PLens]] apply with a monomorphic set function */
def apply[S, A](get: S => A)(set: A => S => S): Lens[S, A] =
PLens(get)(set)
}
// defined object Lens
case class Person(name: String)
// defined class Person
val nameLens = Lens[Person, String](_.name)(str => p => p.copy(name = str))
// nameLens: monocle.Lens[Person,String] = monocle.PLens$$anon$8@5b2aa650
Having the pair of get and set for a given data structure enables a few key features.
val person = Person("Gertrude Blanch")
// person: Person = Person(Gertrude Blanch)
// invoke the getter
// get :: Person => String
nameLens.get(person)
// res12: String = Gertrude Blanch
// invoke the setter
// set :: String => Person => Person
nameLens.set("Shafi Goldwasser")(person)
// res15: Person = Person(Shafi Goldwasser)
// run a function on the value in the structure
// modify :: (String => String) => Person => Person
nameLens.modify(_.toUpperCase)(person)
// res18: Person = Person(GERTRUDE BLANCH)
Lenses are also composable. This allows easy immutable updates to deeply nested data.
// This lens focuses on the first item in a non-empty array
def firstLens[A] = Lens[List[A], A] {
// get first item in array
_.head
} {
// non-mutating setter for first item in array
x => xs => x :: xs.tail
}
// firstLens: [A]=> monocle.Lens[List[A],A]
val people = List(Person("Gertrude Blanch"), Person("Shafi Goldwasser"))
// people: List[Person] = List(Person(Gertrude Blanch), Person(Shafi Goldwasser))
// Despite what you may assume, lenses compose left-to-right.
(firstLens composeLens nameLens).modify(_.toUpperCase)(people)
// res22: List[Person] = List(Person(GERTRUDE BLANCH), Person(Shafi Goldwasser))
Other implementations:
- Quicklens - Modify deeply nested case class fields
- Sauron - Yet another Scala lens macro, Lightweight lens library in less than 50-lines of Scala
- scalaz.Lens
Type Signatures
Every functions in Scala will indicate the types of their arguments and return values.
// functionName :: firstArgType -> secondArgType -> returnType
// add :: Number -> Number -> Number
val add = (x: Int) => (y: Int) => x + y
// add: Int => (Int => Int) = $$Lambda$6168/450833074@b76efce
// increment :: Number -> Number
val increment = (x: Int) => x + 1
// increment: Int => Int = $$Lambda$6169/2134951565@23429781
If a function accepts another function as an argument it is wrapped in parentheses.
// call :: (a -> b) -> a -> b
def call[A, B] = (f: A => B) => (x: A) => f(x)
// call: [A, B]=> (A => B) => (A => B)
The letters a
, b
, c
, d
are used to signify that the argument can be of any type. The following version of map
takes a function that transforms a value of some type a
into another type b
, an array of values of type a
, and returns an array of values of type b
.
// map :: (a -> b) -> [a] -> [b]
def map[A, B] = (f: A => B) => (list: List[A]) => list.map(f)
// map: [A, B]=> (A => B) => (List[A] => List[B])
Further reading
- Ramda's type signatures
- Mostly Adequate Guide
- What is Hindley-Milner? on Stack Overflow
Algebraic data type
A composite type made from putting other types together. Two common classes of algebraic types are sum and product.
Sum type
A Sum type is the combination of two types together into another one. It is called sum because the number of possible values in the result type is the sum of the input types.
we can use sealed trait
or Either
to have this type:
// imagine that rather than sets here we have types that can only have these values
sealed trait Bool
// defined trait Bool
object True extends Bool
// defined object True
object False extends Bool
// defined object False
sealed trait HalfTrue
// defined trait HalfTrue
object HalfTrue extends HalfTrue
// defined object HalfTrue
// warning: previously defined trait HalfTrue is not a companion to object HalfTrue.
// Companions must be defined together; you may wish to use :paste mode for this.
// The weakLogic type contains the sum of the values from bools and halfTrue
type WeakLogicType = Either[Bool, HalfTrue]
// defined type alias WeakLogicType
val weakLogicValues: Set[Either[HalfTrue, Bool]] = Set(Right(True), Right(False), Left(HalfTrue))
// weakLogicValues: Set[Either[HalfTrue,Bool]] = Set(Right(True$@c8afbd6), Right(False$@78d0f039), Left(HalfTrue$@76907679))
Sum types are sometimes called union types, discriminated unions, or tagged unions.
There's a couple libraries in JS which help with defining and using union types.
Flow includes union types and TypeScript has Enums to serve the same role.
Product type
A product type combines types together in a way you're probably more familiar with:
// point :: (Number, Number) -> {x: Number, y: Number}
case class Point(x: Int, y: Int)
// defined class Point
val point = (x: Int, y: Int) => Point(x, y)
// point: (Int, Int) => Point = $$Lambda$6170/1963675584@55a1298b
It's called a product because the total possible values of the data structure is the product of the different values. Many languages have a tuple type which is the simplest formulation of a product type.
See also Set theory.
Option
Option is a sum type with two cases often called Some
and None
.
Option is useful for composing functions that might not return a value.
// Naive definition
trait MyOption[+A] {
def map[B](f: A => B): MyOption[B]
def flatMap[B](f: A => MyOption[B]): MyOption[B]
}
// defined trait MyOption
case class MySome[A](a: A) extends MyOption[A] {
def map[B](f: A => B): MyOption[B] = MySome(f(a))
def flatMap[B](f: A => MyOption[B]): MyOption[B] = f(a)
}
// defined class MySome
case object MyNone extends MyOption[Nothing] {
def map[B](f: Nothing => B): MyOption[B] = this
def flatMap[B](f: Nothing => MyOption[B]) = this
}
// defined object MyNone
// maybeProp :: (String, {a}) -> Option a
def maybeProp[A, B](key: A, obj: Map[A, B]): Option[B] = obj.get(key)
// maybeProp: [A, B](key: A, obj: Map[A,B])Option[B]
Use flatMap
to sequence functions that return Option
s
// getItem :: Cart -> Option CartItem
def getItem[A](cart: Map[String, Map[String, A]]): Option[Map[String, A]] = maybeProp("item", cart)
// getItem: [A](cart: Map[String,Map[String,A]])Option[Map[String,A]]
// getPrice :: Item -> Option Number
def getPrice[A](item: Map[String, A]): Option[A] = maybeProp("price", item)
// getPrice: [A](item: Map[String,A])Option[A]
// getNestedPrice :: cart -> Option a
def getNestedPrice[A](cart: Map[String, Map[String, A]]) = getItem(cart).flatMap(getPrice)
// getNestedPrice: [A](cart: Map[String,Map[String,A]])Option[A]
getNestedPrice(Map())
// res38: Option[Nothing] = None
getNestedPrice(Map("item" -> Map("foo" -> 1)))
// res39: Option[Int] = None
getNestedPrice(Map("item" -> Map("price" -> 9.99)))
// res40: Option[Double] = Some(9.99)
Option
is also known as Maybe
. Some
is sometimes called Just
. None
is sometimes called Nothing
.
Functional Programming Libraries in Scala
P.S: This repo is successful due to the wonderful contributions!