[Python-Dev] PEP 309 misuses the term "currying"

[David Abrahams]

The operation performed by the operator described here is actually
called "Partial Application". A good definition of currying can be
found in http://tinyurl.com/3d6w6 and http://tinyurl.com/ly29.

Several languages have misused the term "curry" this way 

http://tinyurl.com/2p6gb, http://tinyurl.com/2onya (Python)
http://tinyurl.com/36pus (JavaScript)
http://tinyurl.com/3dj6j (Dylan)

Currying transforms a function taking a single tuple argument into a
function taking multiple arguments, and uncurrying reverses the
process.

  >>> def curry(f):
  ...     return lambda *args: f(args)
  ...
  >>> def add2(args): # add the first 2 elements of an argument tuple
  ...     return args[0] + args[1]
  ...
  >>> curry(add2)(1,2) # make add2 accept multiple args
  3
  >>> def uncurry(f):
  ...     return lambda x: f(*x)
  ...
  >>> uncurry(curry(add2))((1,2)) # reverse currying; pass a tuple
  3

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com