Why Isn't Functional Programming the Norm? – Richard Feldman

TL;DR

The norm has been object-oriented programming for a long time, but functional programming is gaining popularity due to its benefits.

Transcript

welcome everybody this is why isn't functional programming the norm I'm Richard Feldman so I'm gonna start with the question why is it functional programming the norm I as anyone else wonder this like everyone like ever looked around and be like hey yeah exactly like I spent a lot of time doing object-oriented programming in my career and then even... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 The popularity of programming languages is influenced by killer apps, platform exclusivity, and quick upgrade paths, rather than their functional programming capabilities.
• 🔜 Object-oriented languages are not necessarily popular because of their uniquely OO features, but rather due to familiarity and smooth upgrade paths.
• ⌛ The popularity and norm of functional programming may be a matter of time, as functional programming is gaining traction and becoming more normal.
• 🎮 Performance considerations, such as control over memory or garbage collection, can impact the choice of language but are not the primary driver of popularity.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the top languages today, and are they functional programming languages?

The top languages today are JavaScript, Python, Java, etc., and they are not primarily functional programming languages. They focus more on object-oriented programming.

Q: Does the popularity of a language depend on killer apps or specific functionalities?

Yes, the popularity of a language often depends on killer apps or specific functionalities that attract users. Functional programming languages may gain popularity if they have a killer app or a specific functionality that meets the needs of developers.

Q: Are there any functional programming languages in the top ten most popular languages?

Currently, there are no functional programming languages in the top ten most popular languages, according to a study by SlashData. However, this could change if a functional programming language develops a killer app or gains platform exclusivity.

Q: Why isn't object-oriented programming the norm if it is so popular?

Object-oriented programming has become the norm because of familiarity, smooth upgrade paths, and the influence of killer apps. While functional programming is gaining traction, it is not yet considered the norm due to various factors, including language history and the current dominance of object-oriented languages.

Key Insights:

• The popularity of programming languages is influenced by killer apps, platform exclusivity, and quick upgrade paths, rather than their functional programming capabilities.
• Object-oriented languages are not necessarily popular because of their uniquely OO features, but rather due to familiarity and smooth upgrade paths.
• The popularity and norm of functional programming may be a matter of time, as functional programming is gaining traction and becoming more normal.
• Performance considerations, such as control over memory or garbage collection, can impact the choice of language but are not the primary driver of popularity.
• The perception of what constitutes a functional programming language varies and can be subjective, with some languages incorporating functional programming features without being strictly functional.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The popularity of programming languages is not necessarily based on functional programming, as the current top languages (JavaScript, Python, Java, etc.) do not prioritize functional programming.

• Languages become popular due to killer apps, platform exclusivity, and quick upgrade paths, rather than their functional programming capabilities.

• Object-oriented languages are not necessarily popular because of their uniquely OO features, but rather due to familiarity and smooth upgrade paths.

• Functional programming is gaining traction and becoming more normal, but it takes time for languages and developers to adapt.