Functional Programming and Security

TL;DR

This paper explores how features of functional programming languages can enhance security by comparing them to imperative programming, suggesting potential security benefits but calling for empirical validation.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of functional language features in relation to security principles and advocates for empirical research to validate security advantages.

Findings

Functional features align well with security principles

Functional programming may offer better security than imperative programming

Further empirical studies are needed to confirm security benefits

Abstract

This paper analyses the security contribution of typical functional-language features by examining them in the light of accepted information security principles. Imperative and functional code are compared to illustrate various cases. In conclusion, there may be an excellent case for the use of functional languages on the grounds of better security; however, empirical research should be done to validate this possibility.