Strict programming language

A strict programming language is a programming language which employs a strict programming paradigm, allowing only strict functions (functions whose parameters must be evaluated completely before they may be called) to be defined by the user. A non-strict programming language allows the user to define non-strict functions, and hence may allow lazy evaluation. Nearly all programming languages in common use today are strict. Examples include C#, Java, Perl (all versions, i.e. through version 5 and version 7), Python, Ruby, Common Lisp, and ML. Some strict programming languages include features that mimic laziness. Raku, formerly known as Perl 6, has lazy lists. Python has generator functions. Julia provides a macro system to build non-strict functions, as does Scheme. Examples for non-strict languages are Haskell, R, Miranda, and Clean. In most non-strict languages the non-strictness extends to data constructors. This allows conceptually infinite data structures (such as the list of all prime numbers) to be manipulated in the same way as ordinary finite data structures. It also allows for the use of very large but finite data structures such as the complete game tree of chess. Non-strictness has several disadvantages which have prevented widespread adoption: Because of the uncertainty regarding if and when expressions will be evaluated, non-strict languages generally must be purely functional to be useful. All hardware architectures in common use are optimized for strict languages, so the best compilers for non-strict languages produce slower code than the best compilers for strict languages. Space complexity of non-strict programs is difficult to understand and predict. Strict programming languages are often associated with eager evaluation, and non-strict languages with lazy evaluation, but other evaluation strategies are possible in each case. The terms "eager programming language" and "lazy programming language" are often used as synonyms for "strict programming language" and "non-strict programming language" respectively.

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Strict function

In computer science and computer programming, a function f is said to be strict if, when applied to a non-terminating expression, it also fails to terminate. A strict function in the denotational semantics of programming languages is a function f where . The entity , called bottom, denotes an expression that does not return a normal value, either because it loops endlessly or because it aborts due to an error such as division by zero. A function that is not strict is called non-strict.

Lazy evaluation

In programming language theory, lazy evaluation, or call-by-need, is an evaluation strategy which delays the evaluation of an expression until its value is needed (non-strict evaluation) and which also avoids repeated evaluations (by the use of sharing). The benefits of lazy evaluation include: The ability to define control flow (structures) as abstractions instead of primitives. The ability to define potentially infinite data structures. This allows for more straightforward implementation of some algorithms.

Strict programming language

Computing with Infinite Sequences CS-210: Functional programming

Introduces lazy lists for computing infinite sequences like prime numbers.

Lazy Evaluation: Lazy Lists

Explores lazy evaluation and lazy lists in Scala, emphasizing their benefits and implementation.

Termination Analysis using Dependency Pairs

Explores automated termination analysis using dependency pairs, covering classical and modern techniques, annual competitions, and tools like AProVE.