What are callback functions and how do they work in different programming languages?

What are callback functions and how do they work in different programming languages?

Callback functions are functions passed as arguments to other functions, allowing for asynchronous operations. In JavaScript, for example, they are commonly used in event handling and asynchronous programming.

Can you give me an example of a callback function in JavaScript?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

function greet(name) {
    console.log('Hello ' + name);
}

function processUserInput(callback) {
    var name = 'Alice';
    callback(name);
}

processUserInput(greet);

How do callback functions differ in Python?

In Python, callback functions are often used with higher-order functions. Here's an example:

def greet(name):
    print('Hello ' + name)

def process_user_input(callback):
    name = 'Bob'
    callback(name)

process_user_input(greet)

Are there any drawbacks to using callback functions?

Yes, one common drawback is 'callback hell,' where multiple nested callbacks make code hard to read and maintain. Promises and async/await in JavaScript help mitigate this issue.