Course syllabus - Functional Programming with F#

Objectives

To teach the student to solve problems independently in a functional language, and to understand the pros and cons of the functional paradigm as compared with others like the imperative and the object-oriented paradigms.

Learning outcomes

For a pass, the student shall understand and be able to use the concepts that are taught, manifested in the following more concrete abilities:

- solve programming problems in a functional language, with recursion
- use lists, tuples, and other functional data structures to structure data in suitable ways when solving problems
- use the most common higher order functions for efficient programming
- declare own datatypes, and use these for modelling and problem solving
- be able to give a written and oral account for software solutions that are based on functional programming technnology

Course content

The functional programming paradigm. Recursion. Higher order functions. Algebraic data types. Data structures in functional languages: lists, tuples, trees. Modern type systems with type inference. Different evaluation strategies: lazy vs. eager evaluation. Freedom of side-effects, and how this can be made to coexist with I/O. Imperative programming in functional languages. Something about applications of functional programming. Introduction to theoretical foundations, like lambda calculus.

Tuition

Lectures (with elements of recitals), supervised laborations, and own work with laborations and project.

Specific requirements

Programming 7,5 ECTS credits, Data structures, algorithms and program development 7,5 ECTS credits,
Discrete Mathematics 7,5 ECTS credits or corresponding.

Examination

Exercise, laboratory work (LAB1), 2 ECTS credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 1.5 ECTS credits, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Examination (TEN1), 4 ECTS credits, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with Functional Programming with F#.