Type Classes

Type Classes

Share this post

Type Classes
Type Classes
Pencil effects

Pencil effects

Side effects are great, but …

Chris Martin's avatar
Chris Martin
Aug 03, 2013
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

Type Classes
Type Classes
Pencil effects
Share

All programs must have side effects to be useful — can we please stop repeating this awful lie? Side effects are great, but they must not be observable from within the program. It is same with pencil-and-paper: writing out a calculation shortens the pencil lead, but the calculation isn’t affected by that. If you believe programs can be proofs, you canno…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Type Classes to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Mission Valley Software LLC
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share