Functional Programming For The Working Rustacean

In this talk, we explore the intersection of functional programming and Rust, providing a practical perspective for everyday Rustaceans. We begin by discussing the modern understanding of functional programming, stripping it of language-specific nuances to focus on its core principles: immutability, higher-order functions, pure functions, leveraging types, etc. We then look at how Rust supports these principles, aligning them with the idiomatic practices that define the language. Through examples, we highlight where Rust excels in adopting a functional style and where it diverges, addressing potential issues and gaps that may arise. We honestly assess whether these gaps present significant problems for Rust developers or if they are merely theoretical concerns. Building on this, we propose a concept of 'reasonable functional programming in Rust,' advocating for a balanced approach that leverages Rust's strengths without forcing concepts that don't fit naturally. Finally, we conclude with actionable insights on how to pragmatically integrate functional programming concepts into daily Rust development, empowering Rustaceans to write more expressive, maintainable code without compromising Rust’s unique advantages.

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