Introduction

Haskell is an in-demand, popular and functional programming language that is based on mathematical concepts. Writing computer programs of Haskell depends on the numerical capacities of the developer. Other than Haskell, many other well-known languages that follow the functional programming framework include Lisp, Python, Erlang, Racket, F#, and Clojure. Haskell is easier to use and efficient than other mainstream programming languages like Java, C, C++, PHP, etc.

Haskell sets itself apart from other programming languages because it is polymorphically statically typed and is purely functional. Named after Haskell Brooks Curry, a mathematician, Haskell's programming language uses a mathematical foundation to construct a functional language based on lambda calculus.

In the realm of functional programming, programs are created by the application and composition of functions. The individual functions serve as a basic unit for Haskell's programming. The functional programming languages provide First-Class Functions, Lazy Evaluation, Higher-Order Functions, Data Immutability, Modularity, No Side-effects, and Recursive Function-Calls. Haskell, as a functional language, uses a single expression on which evaluation and execution are applied. The usefulness of Haskell lies in its efficiency. It is easily comprehensive and conceivable to get on with Haskell from the start. The same can't be attributed to the C program as it takes some time to comprehend, and errors and slips are common.

It is explicitly designed and developed to deal with various applications, from mathematical to symbolic. Haskell has an expressive syntax and a rich assortment of data types that are built-in. In Haskell’s declarative programming paradigm, developers create programs that use sequential functions rather than statements. These functions include arbitrary-precision integers and rationals, conventional integer, floating-point, and Boolean types.

Haskell is a top contender for web backends that use high-load concurrent applications. Generating a revenue worth $800+ million, Haskell has established a solid ground in the FP language world. Retraction of the code and flexibility to changes becomes easier with Haskell because it uses the type of system to model business domains and make explicit assumptions.

Features of Haskell

• Statically typed and Type Inference: The programs are rejected if all the types do not match. Types are inferred bidirectionally by unifying every type. So, users do not have to type everything. 
• Easy debugging: With pure functions as a base and the immutable nature of data, it is easier to locate values. As fewer aspects influence values, the bugged section can be easily found and solved. 
• Lazy evaluation: Haskell evaluates computations when needed due to which run-time can be saved.
• Concurrency: Haskell collaborates well with concurrent programming because of the explicit handling of effects. It uses a flagship compiler, GHC, equipped with a high performance and lightweight concurrency library containing abstractions and primitives.
• Modular: Pure functions can be easily reused as there is no dependency on external variables or states to function.  The functions only complete a single operation; therefore, functions can be reused error-free.
• Enhanced readability: Isolated and immutable functions are easy to read; therefore, users can also predict function behavior just by its name. ‍
• Parallel programming: It is simpler to make simultaneous programs and projects with a functional programming approach such as Haskell because the amount of variation within the programs is decreased due to immutable variables. Each function deals with user input, and the program state remains the same.

Who uses Haskell?

Haskell has a different scope of usage industrially as well as in tech startups. From aviation and defense to finance to web businesses, equipment configuration firms, and hardware firms. The language gathers popularity in various domains.

Haskell has garnered great demand as a secure application with tech giants like Facebook, IBM, Twitter, AT&T, Bank of America, Barclays Capital, NVIDIA, and Microsoft.

Facebook uses Haskell in identifying, detecting, and fighting spam as one of its special projects. Barclays uses Haskell for its strong typing features that use derivative algorithms and its exotic trade tools. Since the code is more readable and maintainable, it becomes easier to find bugs and reduce the risk of exploits. Microsoft's famous Bond Project, a cross-platform framework for working with schematized data, used Haskell as a programming language.

Role and Responsibilities

The developers must be well versed in applying the principles of functional programming to solve real-world problems. Projects include high-profile Haskell libraries, tutorials, and a technical blog. Companies seek software professionals with a knack for coding and web technologies to complete the following company roles:

• Designing: Collaborative architecting and software design around new features using required technologies. Design/implementation of DSLs/EDSLs elements in the ecosystem.
• Versatility: Using other reusable tools inter-departmentally for other developers. Occasional working with Python, Typescript/JavaScript, and Purescript for mission-specific needs. 
• Guiding Implementation: Ensuring end-to-end implementation of entire components, from the first line of code to the test suite, start to finish.
• Maximizing Scalability: Ensure robustness, top-tier performance, and scalability of solutions.
• Working across applications: Interfacing with other languages, API services, foreign interfaces/functions as needed.
• Tasks on company platform specifics: Working on all aspects of company platform, including backend and frontend bases.
• Participation: Taking part in all developmental cycles of entire product/service development. ‍
• Leadership role: Taking ownership of projects, guiding teams, allocating work, and coming up with resolutions.

Skills Required

Functional programming has different skills that can be mixed and matched and used together with other paradigm skills. A skill set can be listed like:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in computer science, math, technical field, or equivalent experience. 

• Ability to construct operational, reliable, readable, and maintainable real-world applications using most of Haskell's (GHC) feature set.

• Familiarity and in-depth understanding of at least one functional language (Haskell, Scala, OCaml, etc.)

• Demonstrable experience in full SDLC, domain-specific experience in data science, ML/AI, or numerical computing
  

• Experience working with large datasets and knowledge of SQL. Experience using advanced GUI techniques, such as FRP (e.g., Reflex).
  

• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of developing web applications. Experience with Type Classes, Functors, Monads, and Monad Transformers.

Soft Skills

• Maintaining Efficient Team Dynamics: a developer must work within departments; therefore, excellent communication and team-building skills are necessary. Multi-tasking and time-management are great skill sets to have on board. ‍
• Analytical Skills: the developer must have attention to detail to learn and use new software scripts and languages.

Learn more

Skuad can help you hire certified and experienced Haskell Developers from all over the world based on your hiring requirements, be it freelance, full-time, or contract.

Salary Structure

With big giants demanding Haskell developers across various sectors in different industries, according to hired.com, the salaries of Haskell range from a low of $130,000 to a high of $200,000. A median salary of $180,000 is offered to experienced developers. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Haskell Developer is $78,350 in the United States. The Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2020 surveyed about 65,000 developers. They voted for the programming languages, effective tools, libraries, and more. Haskell ranked 8th with an average salary of $60,000.

Freelancing and Contractual basis work

Many large and small corporations are now outsourcing their requirements of Haskell development to experienced freelancers or contractors. This allows them the benefits of timely completion of tasks at extremely affordable prices. For the developers, the opportunity to work according to one’s own convenience is quite attractive. At the same time, freelancing Haskell developers can expect to earn similar salaries that they would have earned as salaried individuals.

Haskell Certification

Gaining expertise in programming in Haskell — an advanced, purely functional programming language is a must-have for functional language developers. Haskell wiki provides learning courses and a few online sites like educba.com, edX, brainmeasures.com, etc., offer courses in functional programming ability. It promotes Haskell through its blog entries, courses, and different materials. Enrolling in Haskell's programming certification and courses can add a few deliberations and credit points to a language programmer's skill set. The average annual salary with a Haskell certification and other professional degrees is expected to be $83,000 per year, with figures scaling up to $100,000- $145,000. 

Haskell provides the cutting edge in the programming languages world. Being a research language, it is open to new inventions and techniques to be developed. Skills learned while working with Haskell can be implemented in other functional programming languages. It has successfully established itself as a real-world programming language.

Industry Expertise

Skuad is a unified employment platform that caters to various sectors — Edutech, Fintech, Healthcare, Logistics & Transport, Retail & Ecommerce, Travel, Banking, Media, and more. From selecting to onboarding, invoicing, compliances, and taxation, we act as your local HR to manage the day-to-day operations related to your overseas employees.

Talk to Skuad today!