What is the difference between deferred execution and immediate execution?

What is the difference between deferred execution and immediate execution?

Deferred execution means that the evaluation of an expression is delayed until its value is actually needed, while immediate execution evaluates the expression right away.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! In C#, deferred execution can be seen with LINQ queries, where the query is not executed until you iterate over it. Immediate execution occurs when you call methods like ToList() or ToArray(), which execute the query immediately.

What are the benefits of using deferred execution?

Deferred execution can improve performance by reducing unnecessary computations and memory usage, as it only processes data when required.

Are there any downsides to deferred execution?

Yes, one downside is that it can lead to unexpected behavior if the data source changes before the execution occurs, potentially causing errors or outdated results.