Applicative programming language explained

In the classification of programming languages, an applicative programming language is built out of functions applied to arguments. Applicative languages are functional, and applicative is often used as a synonym for functional.^[1] However, concatenative languages can be functional, while not being applicative.^[2]

The semantics of applicative languages are based on beta reduction of terms, and side effects such as mutation of state are not permitted.^[3]

Lisp and ML are applicative programming languages.

See also

• Applicative universal grammar
• Function-level programming

Notes and References

1. Logic Programming cum Applicative Programming. Nachum. Dershowitz. David A.. Plaisted. 1985. Symposium on Logic Programming. Boston, MA. 54–66. 10.1.1.404.3826.
2. Web site: Why Concatenative Programming Matters. Jon Purdy. 12 February 2012. 28 April 2020.
3. 10.1145/359576.359579. Can programming be liberated from the von Neumann style?: A functional style and its algebra of programs. Communications of the ACM. 21. 8. 613–641. 1978. Backus . J. . free.