Blog

The Monad Symphony: Crafting a Functionally Pure Parser for λ.c

Denis Chevalier, 7 October 2023

Introduction Welcome back to another entrancing episode in the λ.c saga. In our prior installments, we delved into the mystical realms of untyped lambda calculus, wrestled with the intricacies of lexing, and even touched on the philosophical harmonic convergence between music and programming. Today, we progress to the next logical chapter: the architecture of our parser, accentuated by the elegance of monads and functional purity. In today’s installment, we’ll delve into the architecture of our parser, accentuated by the elegance of monads and functional purity.

Crafting Robustness: Achieving 100% Test Coverage in Lexer Development

Denis Chevalier, 7 September 2023

Introduction In the arcane world of compilers, lexers are the unsung heroes. Acting as the initial phase of any compilation process, a lexer breaks down an input stream into constituent tokens, setting the stage for parsing and eventual execution. For those embarking on the grand adventure of crafting a compiler for a minimalist lambda calculus language, the lexer is the first proving ground. In this exposé, we will delineate the pathway we took: the testing strategies we employed, the roadblocks we encountered, and the indescribable satisfaction of hitting a 100% test coverage rate.

The Harmonic Convergence: Music, Programming, and Philosophy in λ.c Development

Denis Chevalier, 4 September 2023

Introduction As software engineers, we often find solace and inspiration in the least expected places. For me, the metaphysical realm where music, programming, and philosophy converge has been an unparalleled source of insight. When developing λ.c, a minimalist lambda calculus programming language, this triad has acted as a guiding light, enhancing my understanding and intuition in unexpected ways. In this essay, we’ll journey through this fascinating intellectual landscape. The Genesis: Drafting the Naive Score From Loops to Lyrics When I first set out to construct the lexer for λ.

Writing a Lexer from Scratch

Denis Chevalier, 3 September 2023

Introduction Greetings to those who tread the fine line between artistry and engineering. Today, we journey into the labyrinthine depths of compiler construction, with our focus on the creation of a lexer from scratch for the minimalist lambda calculus language, λ.c. The Genesis of λ.c Before we venture further, it is vital to understand the ethos behind λ.c. This language aims to synthesize mathematical beauty with computational pragmatism, and in doing so, occupy a unique space within the spectrum of programming paradigms.

The Dawn of λ.c: Conjuring Computations with the Elegance of Untyped Lambda Calculus

Denis Chevalier, 2 September 2023

Greetings, illustrious seekers of computational purity and aficionados of mathematical elegance. Allow me to extend a warm invitation to the cerebral odyssey that is λ.c—a programming language fusing the timeworn splendors of untyped lambda calculus with the exigencies of contemporary software development. The Genesis of λ.c: Why Stir the Aether? One cannot peruse the annals of computational theory without crossing paths with the visionary work of Alonzo Church—the father of lambda calculus.