Currying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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currying

[หˆkษœหriษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

programming technique

Currying is a concept in functional programming where a function with multiple arguments is transformed into a sequence of functions, each taking a single argument. This technique allows for partial application of functions, making it easier to create specialized functions by fixing certain parameters.

Synonyms

function transformation, partial application.

Examples of usage

  • Functional languages often utilize currying.
  • Currying simplifies complex function compositions.
  • JavaScript supports currying through closures.
  • Using currying can lead to more readable code.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • Matrix calculus relies on currying to simplify the differentiation of functions with multiple variables.
  • By transforming functions, currying allows for easier partial application in mathematical routines.

Computational Science

  • Many modern programming languages, like JavaScript and Python, support currying to enhance code reusability.
  • Currying can lead to cleaner and more maintainable code by allowing functions to be easily transformed and composed.

Practical Applications

  • Currying is often used in functional programming to create callable functions that can be executed with fewer arguments over time.
  • In web development, currying helps in setting up configurations for functions that require numerous options, simplifying the user experience.

Pop Culture

  • Currying appears in various programming tutorials and challenges online, gaining popularity due to its practical advantages.
  • Coding competitions sometimes feature currying as a theme, enticing participants to demonstrate their skills in functional programming.

Origin of 'currying'

Main points about word origin

  • The term derives from the mathematician Haskell Curry, who developed important concepts in combinatory logic.
  • The word 'currying' was first used in the context of functional programming in the 1950s.

The term 'currying' is named after the American mathematician Haskell Curry (1900โ€“1982), who developed the theory of combinatory logic. The concept was later popularized in the context of functional programming by developers and computer scientists. Currying allows functions to be decomposed into a series of unary functions, facilitating a clearer, more modular approach to programming. This technique mirrors the natural way humans often think about solving problems, breaking complex tasks into simpler, more manageable parts. As functional programming languages evolved, currying became a foundational concept, influencing the design of contemporary programming languages that support functional paradigms, such as Haskell, JavaScript, and Scala.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,505 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.