higher-order function
Let an agent explain the higher-order function, relay its idea, examples and uses from computer-science sources, describe the examples its aliases name, and distinguish it from a first-order function and from a plain value.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Understand What it is.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is a higher-order function, and how does it differ from a first-order function? definition
- Is the question about programming or mathematics? boundary
Examples
Examples.
Examples
Examples.
- What are map, parser combinators and fixed-point combinators? definition
- Which entry fits the specific example? action
Idea Idea.
Arguments
Functions as arguments.
Arguments
Arguments.
- How does a higher-order function take functions as arguments? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Returns
Returning functions.
Returns
Returns.
- How does a higher-order function return a function? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Uses Uses.
Composition
Composition.
Composition
Composition.
- How do higher-order functions enable composition and reuse? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Patterns
Patterns.
Patterns
Patterns.
- What common patterns use higher-order functions? provenance
- Which entry fits the pattern? action
Context Context.
Functional
Functional programming.
Functional
Functional.
- Why are higher-order functions central to functional programming? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Math
Mathematics.
Math
Math.
- How does the mathematical notion of a functional relate? provenance
- Is the sense correctly identified? boundary
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Cross-cutting context
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- XCT
- Domain
- XCT.QLT
- Other names and narrower kinds
- map, fixed-point combinator, functional square root, parser combinator, half-exponential function
What it is Filled
In programming and mathematics, a higher-order function is a function that takes one or more functions as arguments, returns a function as its result, or both; the registry aliases name examples such as map, parser combinators and fixed-point combinators. Higher-order functions are a core idea of functional programming, letting behaviour be passed around and composed, and they contrast with ordinary functions that only take and return plain values.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent explain the higher-order function, relay its idea, examples and uses from computer-science sources, describe the examples its aliases name, and distinguish it from a first-order function and from a plain value.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Operates on functions
- Core to functional programming
- Enables composition
- Contrasts with first-order
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Pass untrusted functions or callbacks into privileged code.
- Confuse higher-order with first-order functions.
- Introduce code that silently swallows errors through callbacks.
- Present clever abstractions that obscure safety-critical logic.
Only with a human decision
- Changing shared production code.
May
- Write and explain higher-order functions such as map, filter and fold.
- Refactor code with them where it improves clarity.
Moral aspects Filled
- Obscure code makes faults harder to find.
- Clear teaching helps learners.
Who is affected
- Developers
- Users of the software
- Learners
Owners Filled
Steward
Nobody: a concept held in common.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q15810910 - registry parent class
related
- function - in registry terms
- first-order function
- functional programming
- function composition
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.higher-order-function
- Wikidata: Q1474542 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1474542)
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
- takes or returns: functions note
- field: functional programming and mathematics note
- registry parent: function note
Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- A function that takes or returns functions
- map, parser combinator, fixed-point combinator
- A first-order function takes and returns only plain values
- Not a visible object; a function in code or mathematics that operates on other functions.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- explain the idea
- relay examples and uses
- describe named examples
- distinguish it from first-order functions
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Confusing with first-order functions
- Confusing the function with its result
- Overstating performance cost
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- Programming language semantics
Context of use required Filled
- Taking or returning functions to compose behaviour.
- map and filter
- combinators
- function-returning functions
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q1474542: higher-order function - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Higher-order function - general description of the item
Open questions
- Should specific combinators be separate entries?
- How should the idea be shown simply?
- How should the math sense relate to the code sense?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q1474542/spec.json