Unlambda is a minimal functional programming language based on combinatory logic, a version of the lambda calculus that omits the lambda operator. It relies mainly on two builtin functions (s and k) and an "apply" operator (written `, the backquote character). These alone make it Turing-complete, but there are also some I/O functions to make it possible to interact with the user, some shortcut functions and a function for lazy evaluation.

As an esoteric programming language, Unlambda is meant as a demonstration of very pure functional programming rather than for practical use. Its main feature is the lack of conventional operators and data types -- the only kind of data in the program is one-parameter functions. Data can nevertheless be simulated with appropriate functions as in the lambda calculus. Multi-parameter functions can be represented with the technique of currying.

Unlambda is based around the principle of abstraction elimination, or the elimination of all saved variables, including functions. As a purely-functional language, Unlambda's functions are not only first-class objects, but they're the only first-class objects.

An implementation of the hello world program in Unlambda follows:

`r```````````.H.e.l.l.o. .w.o.r.l.di

The notation .x denotes a function which takes one argument and returns it unchanged, printing the single character x as a side effect when it is invoked. i represents the version of the identity function that has no such side effect; it is used here as a dummy argument. The program `.di applies the d-printing function to a dummy argument of i, returning i and printing the letter d as a side effect. Similarly, ``.l.di first applies .l to .d, printing the letter l and returning .d; this result of .d is then applied to i as in the previous example. The function r is syntactic sugar for the function that prints a newline character.

Other important features provided by Unlambda include the k and s functions. k manufactures constant functions: the result of `kx is a function which, when invoked, returns x. Thus the value of ``kxy is x for any x and y.

s is a generalized evaluation operator. ```sxyz evaluates to ``xz`yz for any x, y, and z. It is a remarkable fact that s and k are sufficient to perform any calculation; see the combinatory logic article for full details. As a brief example, note that the identity function i can be implemented as ``skk, since ```skkx yields x for all x.

Unlambda's one flow control construction is call with current continuation, denoted c. When an expression of the form `cx is evaluated, a special "continuation" object is constructed, representing the state of the interpreter at that moment. Then x is evaluated, and then the result is given the continuation object as an argument. If the continuation is never applied to an argument, the value of the `cx expression is the same as the value of x. But if the continuation object is applied to a value y, execution of x is immediately aborted, and the value of the entire `cx expression is y.

Although Unlambda's execution semantics are normally eager, there is a lazy evaluation option, indicated by the use of the d operator. Usually, to evaluate an expression of the form `xy, unlambda first evaluates x, then y, and then applies x to y. However, if x evaluates to the special value d, then y is not evalauted; instead, the value of the expression `dy is a special "delayed computation" object, which, when applied to an argument, evaluates and returns the value of y. Note that in the absence of side effects, this is exactly the same as `ky. The difference is that `ky executes any side effects in y immediately, whereas `dy defers the side effects until the result is applied to another argument.

Unlambda's next built-in operator is v, which ignores its argument and returns v. This feature is not strictly necessary, since v could be implemented as ```s``k``sii``s``s`ksk`k``siik, but it is supplied as a convenience. (This expression above is simply `Yk, where Y denotes a fixed point combinator.)

Input in Unlambda is facilitated by operators @ and ?u. When @ is applied to a function x, a character is read from input, and stored as the "current character"; then x is applied to i. However, if no more characters were available on input, the "current character" is left undefined, and x is applied to v instead. When a function ?u is applied to a function x, the result is the evaluation of `xi if the current character is u, otherwise `xv is evaluated.

There is also a "reprint" operator |. When `|x is evaluated, the function x is applied to .u if u is the current character, or to v if there is no current character.

Finally, there is an exit operator e. When e is applied to x, the execution of the program is terminated, and x is taken as the result of the program (most of the currently existing interpreters ignore the result anyway).

See also

Similar languages:

• Iota and Jot
• Lazy K

External links

• Unlambda homepage (http://www.eleves.ens.fr:8080/home/madore/programs/unlambda/)