What are the downsides of using immutable state in programming?

What are the downsides of using immutable state in programming?

While immutable state has benefits like easier debugging and predictability, it can lead to performance issues due to frequent object creation.

Can you explain how performance is affected?

Sure! Each time you modify an immutable object, a new object is created, which can increase memory usage and slow down performance, especially in large applications.

Are there any scenarios where immutable state is preferred despite these downsides?

Yes, in scenarios where predictability and ease of debugging are critical, such as in functional programming or concurrent applications, immutable state can be very beneficial.

What are some strategies to mitigate the performance issues?

You can use techniques like structural sharing, where you share parts of the state between versions, or libraries that optimize immutable data structures.