Bricklayer: An Authentic Introduction to the Functional Programming Language SML

TL;DR

Bricklayer is an SML-based API designed to teach functional programming through creating LEGO artifacts, making it accessible and engaging for novice programmers while introducing them to the language's concepts.

Contribution

It introduces an educational tool that combines LEGO artifact creation with functional programming in SML to enhance learning for beginners.

Findings

Engages novice programmers with LEGO-based projects.

Provides an authentic introduction to SML programming.

Facilitates understanding of functional programming concepts.

Abstract

Functional programming languages are seen by many as instrumental to effectively utilizing the computational power of multi-core platforms. As a result, there is growing interest to introduce functional programming and functional thinking as early as possible within the computer science curriculum. Bricklayer is an API, written in SML, that provides a set of abstractions for creating LEGO artifacts which can be viewed using LEGO Digital Designer. The goal of Bricklayer is to create a problem space (i.e., a set of LEGO artifacts) that is accessible and engaging to programmers (especially novice programmers) while providing an authentic introduction to the functional programming language SML.