What are the downsides of using immutable data structures?

What are the downsides of using immutable data structures?

While immutable data structures offer benefits like simplicity and safety, they can have downsides such as increased memory usage and performance overhead.

Can you explain how they increase memory usage?

Sure! Each time you modify an immutable data structure, a new copy is created, which can lead to higher memory consumption.

Does this mean they are always slower than mutable structures?

Not necessarily. While they can be slower for certain operations, optimizations like structural sharing can mitigate performance issues.

Are there specific scenarios where mutable structures are preferred?

Yes, in scenarios requiring frequent updates or modifications, mutable structures can be more efficient and easier to work with.

What about thread safety? How do immutable structures help?

Immutable structures are inherently thread-safe since their state cannot change, reducing the risk of concurrency issues.