The Howdy Glossary

KRC, developed by David Turner, is a reflective, higher-order programming language rooted in the lambda calculus. It allows users to define both functions and their types as first-class objects within the language. Primarily designed as an educational tool for teaching compiler construction and type theory, KRC has influenced subsequent languages like Miranda and Haskell through features such as lazy evaluation and polymorphic typing facilitated by Hindley-Milner type inference.

KRC's distinctiveness lies in its support for defining functions and types as core components of the language, emphasizing a reflective approach grounded in lambda calculus principles. This educational framework provides users with a deep understanding of fundamental programming concepts. Its impact on later languages like Miranda and Haskell underscores KRC's enduring influence on programming language design, particularly regarding lazy evaluation and polymorphic typing.

Despite facing competition from languages such as Miranda and Haskell—which have adopted many of KRC's key features—KRC maintains its unique role focused on education. While Miranda evolved from KRC with advanced features like higher-kinded polymorphism and Haskell expanded further with functional programming paradigms including monads and type classes, KRC’s primary focus remains on teaching compiler construction and type theory effectively. This structured approach makes it exceptionally valuable for learners aiming to grasp intricate concepts within these domains comprehensively.