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Aunc.1597 net.applic utzoo!decvax!duke!unc!wm Thu Dec 17 16:16:20 1981 data structures for functional languages What are appropriate data structures for functional languages? I saw a message from someone talking about arrays in a functional language. How can arrays be used in a purely functional manner? (Or is talking about arrays in a functional language a contradiction in terms?). What work is being done on other data structures? Is anyone using streams, or how about tree structures in languages other than lisp? Are there any limitations that have to be placed on trees to keep them purely functional?

And how about operating systems? Can one build an operating system using a purely functional language. In his turing lecture, Backus proposes the AST system, which is clearly non-functional. I guess this boils down to the problem with dealing with the concept of time in a functional system.

Any comments, answers, questions?

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