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I guess the accuracy of this characterization rests on what exactly is meant by "mainstream languages marketed as functional" - specifically, the "marketed" bit
by not_kurt_godel 8y ago
I guess the accuracy of this characterization rests on what exactly is meant by "mainstream languages marketed as functional" - specifically, the "marketed" bit - but I would argue that the mainstream trend is to embrace functional programming. Python, Kotlin, and Golang all support functional programming in non-trivial ways. Java streams, lambdas, and immutables each represent huge shifts towards functional programming style. C++11 and C# 3.0 have added similar constructs (according to Wikipedia, at least - I am less familiar with these languages). So while the relative interest in 'academically pure' functional languages may be declining, it seems to me that stylistically functional programming is becoming more popular than ever.
- pcwalton 8y agoI'd agree with you regarding Python and Kotlin, but Go is pretty clearly anti-functional. It does include closures but little else, and Rob Pike is pretty clear as to the preference for imperative (e.g. for loops) over functional (e.g. map/reduce/etc.) style.
- not_kurt_godel 8y agoFair enough, I don't use Go. I'll admit I just googled "Golang functional", skimmed some stuff, and assumed it fell into the same bucket as Python & Kotlin.
- nudpiedo 8y agoI would say those ones are not marketed as functional, but they do support functional constructs; same as JavaScript. Elixir for example does not market itself as functional but as a niche language for distributed systems which happens to be functional.