Haskell vs Python: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the key differences between Haskell and Python. Haskell is a statically-typed functional programming language, while Python is a dynamically-typed general-purpose programming language.

1. Syntax: Haskell and Python have different syntaxes. Haskell uses indentation and whitespace to define block structures, while Python uses indentation only. Additionally, Haskell has a more complex syntax due to its functional programming paradigm, with features such as pattern matching and higher-order functions, whereas Python has a simpler and more familiar syntax.

2. Type System: Another major difference is the type system. Haskell has a strong static type system, which means that all variables and expressions must have a specific type that is checked at compile-time. Python, on the other hand, has a dynamic type system, allowing variables to change their type during runtime.

3. Immutability: Haskell is a purely functional language, which means that all data in Haskell is immutable by default. Once a value is assigned, it cannot be changed. Python, on the other hand, allows mutability, and variables can be reassigned to different values, making it easier to work with imperative programming paradigms.

4. Lazy Evaluation: Haskell uses lazy evaluation, which means that expressions are not evaluated until their values are explicitly needed. This allows for potentially more efficient code execution. Python, on the other hand, uses eager evaluation, meaning that expressions are evaluated as soon as they are encountered in the code.

5. Concurrency and Parallelism: Haskell has built-in support for concurrency and parallelism through its lightweight threads and software transactional memory (STM). This makes it easier to write concurrent and parallel programs. Python also supports concurrency and parallelism, but it requires external libraries or frameworks, such as threading or multiprocessing, to achieve similar functionality.

6. Performance: Due to its static typing and lazy evaluation, Haskell can often provide better performance, especially in scenarios where laziness can be leveraged to avoid unnecessary computations. Python, being dynamically typed and eagerly evaluated, may not be as performant in certain scenarios. However, in general-purpose tasks and scenarios where performance is not the primary concern, Python's ease of use and extensive libraries make it a popular choice.

In Summary, Haskell and Python differ in their syntax, type system, mutability, evaluation strategy, concurrency/parallelism support, and performance characteristics.