imperative or functional / any
Analogy
Collected by Jan Pearce — Interview, Scott Heggen
Makes explicit that functions have inputs (parameters) and outputs (return value).
| PL | NM |
|---|---|
| function | black box |
| parameters | arrow into the box |
| return value | arrow out of the box |
Parameter passing and return value.
First introducing functions.
This notional machine also encourages a discussion of pure functions, for which the only way to communicate with the outside is to read their parameter values and to produce a return value.
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A notional machine is a pedagogic device to assist the understanding of some aspect of programs or programming.
