> That is why functional languages are so good. They are very close to mathematics
Wouldn't it be better to say that functional languages are close to our commonly used mathematical languages? The abstract underpinnings of mathematics are not expressible naturally. We've had to invent languages to be able to communicate the ideas.
And that is pretty much what this debate boils down to: Are the languages that allows you to express abstract ideas (programming languages in this case) math or language?
Wouldn't it be better to say that functional languages are close to our commonly used mathematical languages? The abstract underpinnings of mathematics are not expressible naturally. We've had to invent languages to be able to communicate the ideas.
And that is pretty much what this debate boils down to: Are the languages that allows you to express abstract ideas (programming languages in this case) math or language?