Ask HN: As somewhat of an old timer, I have a couple of questions about FP, not really worthy of creating their own thread:
1. I learned a rule (in my Pascal textbook), "avoid globals." Is FP just an embodiment of that principle?
2. I do a lot of programming involving hardware, often homemade. Hardware has state, such as whether a lamp is turned on or off. Does this just mean FP is inappropriate, or are there techniques out there that accrue the benefits of FP in systems that necessarily have state?
1. I learned a rule (in my Pascal textbook), "avoid globals." Is FP just an embodiment of that principle?
2. I do a lot of programming involving hardware, often homemade. Hardware has state, such as whether a lamp is turned on or off. Does this just mean FP is inappropriate, or are there techniques out there that accrue the benefits of FP in systems that necessarily have state?