functional-programming.md

Functional Programming

• The Little Idea of Functional Programming
  http://jaysoo.ca/2016/01/13/functional-programming-little-ideas/
  Describes the three basic principles of FP: "data in/data out", "code as data", and "function composition" all the way down, and demonstrates transforming some data. Has some very helpful graphics and illustrations.

• Understanding Programmatic Side Effects
  http://web24studios.com/2015/10/understanding-programmatic-side-effects/
  A short article that explains the concept of "side effects"

• What Is Functional Programming?
  http://blog.jenkster.com/2015/12/what-is-functional-programming.html
  Describes how side effects and "hidden inputs" add complexity to code, in very clear terms.

• Getting Functional with Javascript
  http://www.datchley.name/getting-functional-with-javascript-part-1/
  http://www.datchley.name/getting-functional-with-javascript-part-2/
  http://www.datchley.name/getting-functional-with-javascript-part-3/
  Demonstrates FP concepts by showing how to filter, group, and sort an array of data. Lots of good descriptions, samples, and explanations.

• Functional Programming for Javascript People
  https://medium.com/@chetcorcos/functional-programming-for-javascript-people-1915d8775504
  Tries to explain core FP concepts and patterns in understandable terms.

• Functors, Applicatives, and Monads in Pictures
  http://adit.io/posts/2013-04-17-functors,_applicatives,_and_monads_in_pictures.html
  A long article that tries to describe several FP terms using lots of cartoons.

• Introduction to Immutable.js and Functional Programming Concepts
  https://auth0.com/blog/2016/03/23/intro-to-immutable-js/
  Covers the benefits of using immutable data, pure functions, and other FP concepts, and how those related to Immutable.js.

• Practical Intro to Monads in Javascript
  http://tech.evojam.com/2016/02/22/practical-intro-to-monads-in-javascript/
  http://tech.evojam.com/2016/03/21/practical-intro-to-monads-in-javascript-either/
  An attempt to describe monads aimed at developers and engineers.

• A Gentle Introduction to Functional Javascript
  http://jrsinclair.com/articles/2016/gentle-introduction-to-functional-javascript-intro/
  http://jrsinclair.com/articles/2016/gentle-introduction-to-functional-javascript-arrays/
  http://jrsinclair.com/articles/2016/gentle-introduction-to-functional-javascript-functions/
  http://jrsinclair.com/articles/2016/gentle-introduction-to-functional-javascript-style/
  Goes through a number of FP-related aspects in Javascript.

• Professor Frisby's Mostly Adequate Guide to Functional Programming
  https://drboolean.gitbooks.io/mostly-adequate-guide/content/
  A long (and still growing) online book covering functional topics. Starts fairly simple, definitely gets more complex in later chapters.

• Functional Thinking
  http://nealford.com/functionalthinking.html
  An extended series of articles collected together. Aimed at Java/JVM programmers, and makes a number of comparisons of OOP vs FP.

• Functional Programing in Javascript
  http://reactivex.io/learnrx/
  Teaches functional programming concepts through a series of interactive exercises. Intended as a precursor to learning the Reactive Extensions for Javascript library (RxJS), but uses plain JS and teaches general concepts in the process. (Later exercises are hidden until earlier ones are completed - hit "Show Answer" and "Run" on an exercise if you want to skip ahead).

• The "Thinking Functionally" series
  http://fsharpforfunandprofit.com/series/thinking-functionally.html
  A series of lessons teaching functional concepts using F#. Very well written, clear and easy to understand. Examples use F#, but concepts are widely applicable.

• Imperative to Functional Programming Succinctly
  https://www.syncfusion.com/resources/techportal/details/ebooks/imperative
  A short ebook covering many functional concepts.

• Functional Programming in Javascript
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMUiFMZr7vk&list=PL0zVEGEvSaeEd9hlmCXrk5yUyqUag-n84
  A web series by a quirky programmer showing you high level functional concepts in Javascript

• Functional Programming Jargon
  https://github.com/hemanth/functional-programming-jargon
  A list of FP terms with easier-to-understand definitions and explanations.

• An Introduction to Reasonably Pure Functional Programming
  https://www.sitepoint.com/an-introduction-to-reasonably-pure-functional-programming/
  Explain four key concepts of functional programming: pure functions, immutable values, composition, and side effects

• Functors, Applicatives, and Monads in Plain English
  http://www.russbishop.net/monoids-monads-and-functors
  An attempt to explain these concepts in reasonable terms.

• Learning Functional Programming with Javascript
  https://youtu.be/e-5obm1G_FY
  A great talk by Anjana Vakil. Covers several basic concepts of functional programming, including some very nice examples of map/filter/reducer, a clear fdefinition of side effects, and an explanation of how specialized immutable data libraries work.

• Thinking in Ramda
  http://randycoulman.com/blog/categories/thinking-in-ramda/
  A series of articles digging into techniques to use with the Ramda FP utility library

• Functional Programming Isn't the Answer
  http://degoes.net/articles/fp-is-not-the-answer
  A reminder that while FP has potential benefits, it's ultimately just a tool, and the end goal is useful software.