Functional and Concurrent Programming: Core Concepts and Features

Modern languages support functional and concurrent programming features that can be challenging for experienced developers. Michel Charpentier's book "Functional and Concurrent Programming" provides a core set of programming language constructs to help developers write high-quality code faster. Key topics covered include recursion, pattern matching, algebraic datatypes, persistent structures, higher-order functions, lambda expressions, lazy evaluation, streams, threads, thread pools, atomicity, locking, synchronization, and thread-safe objects. The book also includes a discussion of common typing strategies used in modern programming languages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2022
Publisher: Pearson Education (US)

The power and versatility of modern programming languages are undeniable, but they can also be quite daunting for developers who are new to the field. One of the most challenging aspects of these languages is their support for functional and concurrent programming, which can seem foreign and complex to those who are more familiar with object-oriented programming (OOP). However, with the right approach and a solid understanding of the underlying concepts, developers can leverage these features to write high-quality code faster and more efficiently.

In his book "Functional and Concurrent Programming," Michel Charpentier takes developers on a journey to explore the core set of programming language constructs that will enable them to be productive in a variety of programming languages, both now and in the future. Charpentier begins by introducing the abstract concepts that underpin these powerful features, helping developers to gain a deeper understanding of how they work.

Throughout the book, Charpentier illustrates key concepts with numerous small, focused code examples, written in the Scala programming language. These examples are designed to provide a thorough grounding in functional and concurrent programming skills, which will carry from language to language, including the most recent incarnations of Java. By using these features, developers and programmers can write high-quality code that is easier to understand, debug, optimize, and evolve.

Some of the key topics covered in the book include recursion and tail recursion, pattern matching and algebraic datatypes, persistent structures and immutability, higher-order functions and lambda expressions, lazy evaluation and streams, threads and thread pools, atomicity and locking, synchronization and thread-safe objects, lock-free, non-blocking patterns, futures, promises, and functional-concurrent programming.

In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of these topics, the book also includes a discussion of common typing strategies used in modern programming languages, including type inference, subtyping, polymorphism, type classes, type bounds, and type variance. This discussion will help developers to choose the right typing strategy for their specific needs and to ensure that their code is type-safe and reliable.

Overall, "Functional and Concurrent Programming" is an essential resource for developers who want to improve their skills in functional and concurrent programming. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out in the field, this book will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to write high-quality code that is efficient, scalable, and maintainable.

Weight: 1000g
Dimension: 230 x 176 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780137466542