[R] Seeking Guidance on Advancing Functional Programming Skills in R

[Duncan Murdoch]

On 2026-02-12 7:01 a.m., SAAD LAMJADLI wrote:
> Dear R Users,
> 
> I am looking for a roadmap to learn advanced functional programming in R.
> 
> I have already read *Functional Programming* by Thomas Mailund, and I have
> been studying base R functions to understand how they are written and to
> learn from their design. I have analyzed and rewritten dozens of base R
> functions, and this process has been very instructive. However, I still
> find it difficult to write more complex and robust functions on my own.
> 
> I would be very grateful for any advice you might have — whether in the
> form of recommended books, learning strategies, advanced resources, or
> suggestions for progressing toward more advanced functional programming
> skills in R. Additionally, I was wondering if there are any official
> workshops, teaching sessions, or training initiatives focused on advanced
> functional programming within the R ecosystem.

Others have told you how to learn functional programming.  I'm just 
writing to say I suspect you may not have used the jargon correctly: 
"functional programming" is a particular style of programming, and I 
suspect you may just want to know about programming in R (which involves 
writing functions, but that doesn't make it "functional programming").

Whether or not that's the case, I hope you follow Bert's advice, and 
show us more concrete examples of what you are really asking.  Without 
those it'll just be by luck if any of the responses are helpful.

Duncan Murdoch