Anamorphism

What Does Anamorphism Mean?

Anamorphism is a specific mathematical and computer science concept that works with values to develop models. This type of idea focuses on the specific coding based on the mathematics of creating these models. Mathematicians and coders use anamorphisms as part of a process largely unfamiliar to the lay person.

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Techopedia Explains Anamorphism

Specifically, experts define anamorphism as based on the idea of unfolds in lists. A list is an abstract data type with order values. An unfold takes a seed value and develops a list. Folds and unfolds can represent sophisticated models that use the process of recursion. These are typically either presented through detailed and elegant mathematical equations, or in a particular computer programming language, according to the context and use of the anamorphism in question. Anamorphisms can be applied to different types of structures such as a tree data structure or a traditional list. Developers can use commands like “unspool” to implement an anamorphism in code.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…