An Introduction to Algebraic Effects and Handlers

VCLA hosted a talk by Andrej Bauer on April 27, 2015.

ABSTRACT

In this introductory talk I shall explain how the mathematical concepts arising in universal algebra correspond to a class of computational effects known as algebraic effects. We can use the correspondence to devise interesting new programming concepts, in particular handlers, as well as principles for proving properties of effectful programs by equational reasoning. Algebraic effects and handlers can also be used for definition of sophisticated control flow mechanisms such as continuations, search strategies, cooperative multithreading, transactions, selection operators, and others.