Rethinking Functional Programming

This chapter examines a crucial paper on functional programming that emerged post-AI winter in the 1980s, shifting the narrative from what functional programming lacks to its considerable benefits. It emphasizes the importance of functions, side effects, and referential transparency while critiquing both academic and practical perspectives on the subject. Through a reflective discussion, the chapter highlights the need for a balanced understanding of functional programming's merits in comparison to traditional paradigms.