Functional programming
by Henderson, Peter · first published 1980
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
An older introduction to functional programming that builds its ideas through implementation, including a Lisp-style interpreter. It is a solid, thoughtful read for those learning the paradigm.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The ideas central to pure functional (or applicative) programming, including expression, semantics, and implementation.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2009–2026The architecture of symbolic computers
Peter M. Kogge
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 106 recommend · 10 mention6 recommend · 106 recommend
2009–2026Computer Lib/Dream Machines
Ted Nelson
Recommended by 37 · mentioned by 6637 recommend · 66 mention37 recommend · 6637 recommend
2007–2026Lisp in Small Pieces
Christian Queinnec
Recommended by 101 · mentioned by 141101 recommend · 141 mention101 recommend · 141101 recommend
2007–2026Programming Pearls
Jon Bentley
Recommended by 158 · mentioned by 245158 recommend · 245 mention158 recommend · 245158 recommend
What about non-bibles ? Henderson's FP book: https://www.amazon.com/Functional-Programming-Application-Im... Watson's Lisp: https://www.amazon.com/Lisp-3rd-Patrick-Winston/dp/020108319...
on “Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?” ↗> Functional Programming: Application and Implementation by Peter Henderson seconding this recommendation from the OP. I sold my copy ~20 years ago but remember it as quite good.
on “Quirky computing books” ↗LispKit lisp is a pretty good example. A good description exists in "Functional Programming: Application and Implementation" by Peter Henderson.
on “Ask HN: Clean Lisp implementation for study?” ↗I have a copy of an great-but-ancient book called "Functional Programming: Application and Implementation" (Peter Henderson, edited by CAR Hoare). If you're interested in this implementation, you'll find that book very interesting, and quite similar I think (based on reading…
on “A site for Picolisp, a very true Lisp” ↗Functional Programming Application and Implementation by Peter Henderson. Old but interesting. Woken Furies by Richard Morgan. Good sci-fi detective thriller series. Working Effectively with Legacy Code by Michael C Feathers.…
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗I've actually recently read "FUNCTIONAL PROGRAMMING: Application and Implementation", by Peter Henderson from 1980, which contains a description of the SECD machine and a compiler for a simple purely-functional Lisp dialect called Lispkit. This <https://github.com/carld/lispkit>…
on “Secd: A silly implementation of the SECD machine” ↗