What are the benefits of using closures in Python?

What are the benefits of using closures in Python?

Closures in Python allow for data encapsulation, enabling functions to remember their environment even when executed outside their scope.

Can you give me an example of a closure?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

def outer_function(msg):
    def inner_function():
        print(msg)
    return inner_function

closure = outer_function('Hello, World!')
closure()  # This will print 'Hello, World!'

What are some practical uses of closures?

Closures are useful for creating factory functions, maintaining state in callbacks, and implementing decorators.

Are there any downsides to using closures?

One downside is that closures can lead to increased memory usage if not managed properly, as they keep references to their enclosing scope.