Status Updates From Combinators: A Centennial View

Note paclet:guide/CombinatoryLogic in Wolfram Engine 13.2 (Specifically the left-associative functional application or \[Application] having no 'built-in meaning' given the programming approach alternate the conventional procedural and rule-based types) and the λ-calculus accorsing to an equational theory of first-class variables utilizing reductionistic, inductive typing across the resultant normal forms.

Well, the book definitely improves as it progresses. The historical sleuthing about Moses Schönfinkel's life and the details of Hilbert's Göttingen circle is really quite interesting.

I would have put the sections in the exact opposite order. To me, it makes more sense first to say who Schönfinkel was, then what he created, and finally what we can do with it using modern computational methods.

I just don't understand the organisation. After more than a hundred and fifty pages showing us examples of combinators, he's finally got round to explaining what they are and why they're interesting. IMHO, reversing the order would make the book a whole lot more readable.

Breakfast conversation this morning with a retired professor of mathematics:

Me: Would you like to take a look at the latest Wolfram book?

RPoM; No.

In case you were wondering what the mainstream academic view is...

Interesting how things are structured here - I would prefer the historical context before diving into the examples. But nethertheless at the moment I love the book.

Combinators have never really caught on, explains Wolfram. Well, I'm starting to see why.