JavaScript for ABAP Programmers

Chapter 7.1 - A Simple Functional Programming Example

Chris Whealy / Technology RIG
 ABAP JavaScript
Data typing Strong Weak
Syntax Similar to COBOL Derived mainly from Java with some influence from C
Variable Scope Block scope Lexical (or function) scope
“Function” No concept of a function as a Functions are 1st class citizens.
Concept data object That is, a function is an object with “an executable part”
Inheritance Model Class based Referential (or Prototypical)
Programming Style Strictly Imperative Both Imperative and Functional
Functional Programming
A Simple JavaScript Example
Functional Programming: Introduction

This shift of emphasis from how to what is far more than an academic detail; it fundamentally alters
the way you think about software design!
A programmer familiar with the architecture of coding used in imperative languages such as ABAP or
Java is strongly focused on exactly how the instructions in their program should be structured and
executed. A related emphasis in imperative programming is that you are also strongly focused on the
timeline of the exact order which instructions are executed.
However in functional programming, the emphasis is on defining what steps are required to transform
the input data into the desired output, and is much less concerned with how these steps have been
implemented.

This is best illustrated with a small JavaScript program written in both the imperative and functional
styles.

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Imperative Style 1/3

Here is a simple JavaScript function that calculates the nth number in the Fibonacci sequence (using
the formula fibn = fibn-2 + fibn-1)
// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: imperative style
function fib_imperative(n) {
var a = 0, b = 1, sum = 0;

while (n>1) {
sum = a + b;
a = b;
b = sum;
n = n - 1;
}

return sum;
}

fib_imperative(8); //  21

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Imperative Style 2/3

Here is a simple JavaScript function that calculates the nth number in the Fibonacci sequence (using
the formula fibn = fibn-2 + fibn-1)
// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: imperative style Function fib_imperative receives a single
function fib_imperative(n) {
var a = 0, b = 1, sum = 0; parameter n and uses this value to control a simple
while loop.
while (n>1) {
sum = a + b; Inside the loop, three variables (a, b and sum) are
a = b; used to maintain the state of the calculation.
b = sum;
n = n - 1;
}

return sum;
}

fib_imperative(8); //  21

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Imperative Style 3/3

Here is a simple JavaScript function that calculates the nth number in the Fibonacci sequence (using
the formula fibn = fibn-2 + fibn-1)
// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: imperative style Function fib_imperative receives a single
function fib_imperative(n) {
var a = 0, b = 1, sum = 0; parameter n and uses this value to control a simple
while loop.
while (n>1) {
sum = a + b; Inside the loop, three variables (a, b and sum) are
a = b; used to maintain the state of the calculation.
b = sum;
n = n - 1; The final value is accumulated in variable sum which
}
then becomes the return value.
return sum;
}
Notice that as the loop progresses, the value of
variable sum continually changes.
fib_imperative(8); //  21
This is a classic example of the imperative coding
style in which the execution of the program causes
the computer’s state to evolve towards the desired
result.

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Functional Style

The first thing to notice here is that the program now uses functions as the basic structural unit.
Also notice that familiar statements such as if and while are missing.
// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style
function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
}

function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Explanation of Functional Style 1/5

The actual calculation is performed by a function called do_fib that takes 3 parameters a, b and n.
Parameter a is fibn-2, b is fibn-1 and n is the desired number from the Fibonacci series.
// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style
function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
}

function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Explanation of Functional Style 2/5

There are several important differences about the coding style here:

// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style

function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
}

function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

1. The ternary operator is used to create an inline condition.

The focus of our attention here should be on the return value from do_fib, not some internal loop control
variable (n in this case). The variable n is merely a means to an end, so we structure the code such that our
attention remains focussed on the function’s return value - which will either be the value held in parameter b,
or the result of a recursive call to do_fib.

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Explanation of Functional Style 3/5

There are several important differences about the coding style here:

// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style

function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
}

function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

2. Within function do_fib, notice that no internal variables are declared (no var statements).
The actual calculation of the next number in the Fibonacci sequence is performed at the time the parameters
are passed to the recursive do_fib call.
3. Use of the while keyword is no longer required because iteration is now controlled by recursion.
Recursion stops when the control value n reaches 1, by which time the required value will be in variable b.

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Explanation of Functional Style 4/5

There are several important differences about the coding style here:

// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style

function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
}

function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

4. Function do_fib is not exposed directly to the end user because in order to call it, you would need to have
some internal knowledge of its three parameter values.
Therefore, these internal implementation details are hidden by calling do_fib from within the wrapper function
fib_functional which acts as the public API

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Calculating Fibonacci Numbers: Explanation of Functional Style 5/5

There are several important differences about the coding style here:

// Calculate nth Fibonacci number: functional style

function fib_functional(n) {
return do_fib(0,1,n);
} Neither of these functions create any side-effects.
They act only on the values received as parameters
function do_fib(a,b,n) {
return (n === 1) ? b : do_fib(b,a+b,n-1);
}

fib_functional(8); //  21

The functional solution is now much simpler than the imperative solution in that it has been reduced down to two
simple, side-effect free functions.

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