A Second Year Course On Data Structures Based On Functional Programming

In this paper, we make a proposal for a second year course on advanced programming, based on the functional paradigm. It assumes the existence of a first course on programming, also based on functional languages. Its main subject is data structures.We claim that advanced data structures and algorithms can be better taught at the functional paradigm than at the imperative one, and that this can be done without losing efficiency. We also claim that, as a consequence of the higher level of abstraction of functional languages, more subjects can be covered in the given amount of time.In the paper, numerous examples of unusual data structures and algorithms are presented illustrating the contents and the philosophy of the proposed course.