What factors do you consider when choosing a functional programming language and framework?

1 Paradigm and features

Not all functional programming languages are created equal. Some are purely functional, such as Haskell, while others are multi-paradigm, such as Scala or Clojure. Some have strong and static typing, such as OCaml, while others have weak and dynamic typing, such as JavaScript. Some have advanced features, such as pattern matching, higher-order functions, or lazy evaluation, while others have simpler syntax and semantics. Depending on your background, goals, and preferences, you may prefer a language that is more or less functional, more or less expressive, and more or less strict.

2 Ecosystem and community

Another factor to consider is the availability and quality of libraries, tools, and resources for the functional programming language and framework of your choice. You may want to check the documentation, tutorials, examples, and support for the language and framework, as well as the size and activity of the community. You may also want to look at the popularity and trends of the language and framework, as well as the job market and industry demand. A language and framework with a rich and vibrant ecosystem and community can make your development process easier and more enjoyable.

3 Compatibility and interoperability

Functional programming languages and frameworks are not isolated from the rest of the software world. You may need to integrate them with other languages, frameworks, platforms, or systems. Therefore, you should consider how compatible and interoperable they are with your existing or desired environment. For example, you may want to choose a language that runs on the JVM, such as Scala or Clojure, if you want to leverage the Java ecosystem. Or you may want to choose a language that compiles to JavaScript, such as Elm or PureScript, if you want to target the web browser.

4 Performance and scalability

Functional programming languages and frameworks can have different impacts on the performance and scalability of your software. Some may be faster or slower than others, depending on the implementation, optimization, or compilation of the language and framework. Some may be more or less scalable than others, depending on the concurrency, parallelism, or distributed computing features of the language and framework. You should evaluate the performance and scalability requirements of your software, as well as the trade-offs and best practices of the language and framework.

5 Learning curve and productivity

Finally, you should consider how easy or hard it is to learn and use the functional programming language and framework of your choice. Some may have a steeper or shallower learning curve than others, depending on the familiarity, complexity, or novelty of the language and framework. Some may enhance or hinder your productivity, depending on the usability, reliability, or maintainability of the language and framework. You should assess your own skills, experience, and preferences, as well as the feedback and recommendations of other developers.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?