title: Functional programming - standard symbols, diagrams, etc
body: <p>I have a problem, which I believe to be best solved through a functional style of programming.</p>
  
  <p>Coming from a very imperative background, I am used to program design involving class diagrams/descriptions, communication diagrams, state diagrams etc. These diagrams however, all imply, or are used to describe, the state of a system and the various side effects that actions have on the system.</p>
  
  <p>Are there any standardised set of diagrams or mathematical symbols used in the design of functional programs, or are such programs best designed in short functional-pseudo code (given that functions will be much shorter than imperative counterparts).</p>
  
  <p>Thanks, Mike</p>