Functional Python

All in Functional

In a previous post, I had some concerns about doing too much functional programming in Python and that it might not be Pythonic. But I'm not going worry about that here. I'll be writing Functional Python, with some help from a very nice library called toolz.

I have added example code in this GitHub repo and have also recorded a short video (about 8 minutes long). You'll find it embedded in this post, just scroll down a bit.

Functional in a nutshell

The video is very much inspired by one of my favorite recordings about functional programming in general, and about Clojure in specific: Clojure in a nutshell (Func Prog Sweden), by James Trunk. I have learned a lot from that talk and figured it would be fun to copy the workflow and examples that James uses in his excellent talk.

So, I've been translating Clojure code to Python. You'll also notice in the short video that I'm practicing a thing called REPL Driven Development.

Pipe functions with the toolz.thread_last function.

Composing, piping, chaining, threading

What I've learned so far is that it's a smooth ride to apply functional concepts into a language like Python. After all, functions are first class citizens here. Composing functions in a minimalistic - and readable - way is joyful. Yeah, these things also encourage to aim for simplicity in functions. Keeping functions stateless, single purposed and testable. All of that is really good stuff.

Intuitive, Pythonic & Effective?

Are those one-liners, like that thread_last thing that I use heavily in the video, Pythonic? Well, I guess it depends. As with most things, the features of cool toolz should be used wisely.

Yes, Python should be used wisely.

Remember to run import this in a Python shell now and then to remind yourself about and reflect on the Zen of Python 🧘. Does it say anything at all about OOP, or functional?

Here's an improvised 8 minute recording with live coding functional Python, using toolz:

Direct link to the Functional Python video.

^{Top photo by Charlein Gracia on Unsplash}

A Pythonic Railway?

What is Railway Oriented Programming, and how it can be implemented in Python? Is it even a good fit for Python?

🐍 Python on Rails

I’ve experimented with this Railway thing to find out if it is a good fit. If you haven't already, make sure to watch this excellent talk about Railway Oriented Programming from NDC London by Scott Wlaschin.

As I understand Railway Oriented Programming, it is about adding error handling to code without cluttering the program flow.

The source code in my GitHub repo is an attempt to implement a lightweight, and probably a sloppy, variant of Railway Oriented Programming in Python.

What I'm trying to achieve is to add the functional concepts of Railway Oriented Programming, and try keeping a Pythonic mindset. I believe that means not going all-in functional, but I could be wrong here. 🤔

🚂 Why Railways?

As I understand it, this way of writing code is about adding error handling and still keeping a happy path style in the code. This is done by wrapping - or as I’ve been doing, decorating - functions.

The functions are wrapped (or decorated, as in the examples in my GitHub repo) to catch failures. The output of a failed function call will be the input to the next one. The next function will choose a track based on the input: taking the success track, or the fail track. In general, taking the fail track means bypassing the function and skip to the next one.

By using a two-tracked approach in functions, the error handling will be separated from the program. Functions will be less cluttered with try except error handling and probably also with less of if else flow control clauses. As result, In many cases, this will mean less code in functions.

Less code in a function will probably be easier to understand and reason about. Less branches in a program flow will keep the functions simple. I think less is nice. Yeah, less is more. 😎

Here’s an improvised 5 minute video I’ve made to demo the concepts Railway Oriented Development in Python:

Direct link to the A Pythonic Railway? video.

I would love to hear your feedback about this!

^{Top photo by Alex Paganelli on Unsplash}