maxList

[Hal Daume III]

Hi,

> I have a list of Integers, and I want to return the highest value of all.
> 
> i have this: 
> comp :: Int -> Int -> Int
> comp x y | x < y        = y
>                | otherwise   = x

This looks fine.

> maxList :: [Int] -> [Int]

This type is probably wrong.  If you are only trying to find the single
greatest integer, why are you returning a list?  Possibly to handle the
case when the input list is empty, but a 'Maybe' might be better suited
for this (or simply throwing an error).

> maxList (x1:x2:xs) = comp x1 x2 : maxList xs
> maxList [] = []

You should probably try to think inductively about this problem.  Suppose
you're given an empty list.  What is the maximum value of this
list?  Well, nothing.  This should be an error.

Now, suppose you're given a list with only one element.  Obviously this
single element is the maximum of the list, so you should return it.

Suppose you have more than one element.  How does the maximum value of the
entire list relate to the maximum value of the tail of the list and the
head of the list (inductively)?

Given that answer, you should be able to write a three line solution.

Now, for extra credit, write a one line solution using a fold and your
comp function.

 - Hal


(note that your 'comp' function is the standard prelude 'max' function,
for the most part, and that your 'maxList' is the prelude 'maximum'
function.)