Re: Programming style
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg47613] Re: Programming style
- From: "Steve Luttrell" <steve_usenet at _removemefirst_luttrell.org.uk>
- Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 04:15:10 -0400 (EDT)
- References: <c5qj4q$fvh$1@smc.vnet.net>
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
Like you I am (or was) an experienced procedural programmer (Fortran, C, Basic, etc). It took a while for me to get used to the functional approach of Mathematica, but once the penny had dropped there was no going back. I wince when I look at the (procedural style of) Mathematica that I used to write in the early days. I could not imagine now giving up using the functional programming style because it is so well matched to my way of thinking (i.e. scientist/mathematician). In fact, I would go so far as to say that my style of thinking has improved since I became aware what functional programming was. Steve Luttrell <lorenzo.keegan at handbag.com> wrote in message news:c5qj4q$fvh$1 at smc.vnet.net... > Hello, > > I am an experienced computer programmer having used ADA, C, Visual Basic > etc. for years. > > Recently I bought the book "Mathematica - A Practical Approach", where different > styles of programming are discussed, namely > Functional programming versus Procedural programming. > > The book seems to suggest that most Scientist and "professional" Mathematica > users prefer the Functional programming approach. > > For years I have been working with the "Procedural" method. > > What are your feelings ? Is it worth the effort to learn the Functional > method ? Does it matter ? > > Thanks for your time > > Best Wishes > Laurence Keegan >