The Book of Functions Explore Set Theory, Abstract Algebra, and Category Theory with Functional Programming

by Orland, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781718501607
• ISBN10: 1718501609
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-08-26
• Publisher: No Starch Press

Summary

Master the dual arts of functional programming and advanced math with this illuminating intro to mathematical functions—complete with 500 bite-size coding exercises!

Functional programming is a computer paradigm that emphasizes functions, which are repeatable computations that take input data and produce corresponding output data. Functions are also important concepts in math, and a lot of deep mathematical insights shed light on functional computer programming. In this book, the author uses functional programming to introduce mathematical ideas from set theory, abstract algebra, and category theory, and in turn uses math to describe functional programming design patterns. More than 500 short programming exercises included in the book will help you master functional programming and math skills alike, with code examples presented in the F# language.

Author Biography

Paul Orland is a programmer, software entrepreneur, and math enthusiast. He is co-founder of FizzBuzz, where he runs online courses in mathematics and computer programming.  Previously, Orland was founder and CEO of Tachyus, building predictive analytics software for energy companies. A functional-programming aficionado, Orland is a recognized expert in the F# programming language by the F# Software Foundation. He’s also the author of Math for Programmers and has a B.S. in mathematics from Yale University and an M.S. in physics from the University of Washington.