Tacit programming facts for kids
Tacit programming (also called point-free programming) is a way of writing computer programs where you don't directly mention the inputs (called parameters) that a function uses. Instead, you build functions by combining smaller pieces of code called combinators and using advanced ideas like map.
Think of it like giving instructions without saying "take the apple" or "take the orange." You just say "take the fruit." The function knows what to do with whatever input it gets, without needing a specific name for it. This style is often used in functional programming languages like Haskell.
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Understanding Tacit Programming
Tacit programming means you write code that focuses on what needs to be done with data, rather than how the data is named or handled step-by-step. It's like a chef who has a set of tools (combinators) and knows how to combine them to prepare ingredients, without needing to name each ingredient as "flour" or "sugar" every time.
What are Parameters?
In most programming, when you write a function, you give names to the inputs it will receive. These names are called parameters. For example, in a function that adds two numbers, you might write `add(number1, number2)`. Here, `number1` and `number2` are the parameters.
In tacit programming, you don't use these parameter names. The function is designed to work directly with whatever input it receives, without needing a specific placeholder name for it.
How Does It Work? Combinators and Higher-Order Functions
Tacit programming uses special tools to work without named parameters:
- Combinators: These are small, reusable functions that combine other functions. They are like building blocks that let you connect different actions together without needing to specify the data flowing between them.
- Higher-Order Functions: These are functions that can take other functions as inputs or give functions back as outputs. A common example is `map`. The `map` function applies another function to every item in a list. For example, if you have a list of numbers `[1, 2, 3]` and a function `double` that multiplies a number by two, `map(double, [1, 2, 3])` would give you `[2, 4, 6]`. In tacit programming, you'd just say "map double" to the list, without naming the list or its items.
Why Use Tacit Programming?
Programmers use tacit programming for a few reasons:
- Shorter Code: It can make code much more compact, as you don't write out parameter names repeatedly.
- Focus on Logic: It helps programmers think about the flow of data and the combination of operations, rather than getting caught up in naming variables.
- Mathematical Roots: It's closely related to mathematical ideas like Combinatory logic and Lambda calculus, which are powerful ways to think about functions.
However, it can also be harder to understand for beginners because it's less direct than traditional programming styles.
Where Is It Used?
Tacit programming is most common in functional programming languages. These languages treat functions as "first-class citizens," meaning functions can be used like any other piece of data.
- Haskell: This is a popular functional programming language where tacit programming is often used.
- J and K: These are array programming languages that heavily use tacit programming concepts to work with large sets of data very efficiently.
Related Concepts
- Anonymous function: A function that doesn't have a name.
- Function (mathematics): The mathematical idea of a rule that takes an input and produces an output.
- Lambda calculus: A mathematical system for studying functions and computation.
More to Explore
- In Spanish: Programación tácita para niños
