Question

What are the key differences between functional programming and procedural or object-oriented programming? Also, why is functional programming so hard for me to understand :(

Answer 1

Object-oriented programming allows you to create individual algorithms which do different tasks, you can then use them in conjunction to perform an overall goal. Functional programming only allows you to use certain (functions) which can be repeated to get where you want to go.

more in depth response here: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=207071

object-oriented programming is easier to understand in my opinion

Answer 2

how am I supposed to understand what something like\[f = \lambda x.x*f(x-1)\text{ if }x > 1\text{ else }1\]

Answer 3

well I don't know any functional languages, but applying what i've learned from c++ and python.. I'd guess you're assigned a function f(x), you first set paramenters ax, then assign the function f(x-1) then set conditions x>1 and if conditions aren't met it returns a value 1 (which usually means the function did not execute according to the condition).