Type Classes Lecture

Date:: February 20th, 2025

Synopsis

Most languages support polymorphism of one sort or another. In the type classes video we will discuss some of the different approaches you will see in different languages, and then introduce Haskell’s method. Then we will go over the functor type class, which allows you to define the higher order function map for any type you want.

Videos

• Type Classes
• Functors and Applicative

Handouts

• Type Classes activity (PDF)

Further Reading

• The Typeclassopedia Read this if you want a broader understanding of type classes.
• Variadic functions in Haskelll They used type classes to trick Haskell into allowing us to have functions with a variable number of parameters!