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## Introduction

The Phoenix library enables FP techniques such as higher order functions, lambda (unnamed functions), currying (partial function application) and lazy evaluation in C++. The focus is more on usefulness and practicality than purity, elegance and strict adherence to FP principles.

FP is a programming discipline that is not at all tied to a specific language. FP as a programming discipline can, in fact, be applied to many programming languages. In the realm of C++ for instance, we are seeing more FP techniques being applied. C++ is sufficiently rich to support at least some of the most important facets of FP. C++ is a multi-paradigm programming language. It is not only procedural. It is not only object oriented. Beneath the core of the standard C++ library, a closer look into STL gives us a glimpse of FP already in place. It is obvious that the authors of STL know and practice FP. In the near future, we shall surely see more FP trickle down into the mainstream.

The truth is, most of the FP techniques can coexist quite well with the standard object oriented and imperative programming paradigms. When we are using STL algorithms and functors (function objects) for example, we are already doing FP. Phoenix is an evolutionary next step.