Learning functional programming

Question

I am mostly a Java developer, this is where I've had the most experience. I want to improve my coding skills so I am looking at learning a functional language.

I don't want it to be too big a leap for me, I don't want to get bogged down in too many unfamiliar things, I'd like to get up to speed as soon as possible.

Can you recommed a language/platform for my first serious look at functional programming?

Answer 1

To be honest, it's the big leap in perspective that makes learning a functional language such a benefit. I'd say dive in the deep end with the "purest" functional language Haskell.

The books Real World Haskell and The Haskell School of Expression are great introductions.

Answer 2

Try Scala. It's not purely a functional programming language, but it fits right into your toolbox. See Learning Scala.

Another option may be Clojure. That, too, isn't pure FP, but as a Lisp dialect it offers many of the relevant features.