Question

Given a function:

min(A, B)  when A =< B -> A;
min(_A, B)             -> B.

can I use this in the function foldlin a similar fashion to this:

lists:foldl(fun min/2, 0, [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10])

I believe it is not possible, because I have to set an initial value that will be compared to the rest of the list, e. g. there is no identity function that I can think of. Am I right?

Syntax is written in Erlang, but should be readable for non Erlang programmers, too.

Answer 1

1> List = [42,13,25,3,19,20].
[42,13,25,3,19,20]
2> lists:foldl(fun(X, Y) -> erlang:min(X,Y) end, hd(List), tl(List)).   
3

Crashes a program on an empty list, a recommended approach “let it crash” as opposed to defensive programming.