What is memoization and how does it work?

What is memoization and how does it work?

Memoization is an optimization technique used to speed up function calls by caching previously computed results.

Can you give me an example of how memoization is implemented in code?

Sure! Here's a simple example in JavaScript:

const memoize = (fn) => {
    const cache = {};
    return (...args) => {
        const key = JSON.stringify(args);
        if (cache[key]) {
            return cache[key];
        }
        const result = fn(...args);
        cache[key] = result;
        return result;
    };
};

const fibonacci = memoize((n) => {
    if (n <= 1) return n;
    return fibonacci(n - 1) + fibonacci(n - 2);
});

What are the benefits of using memoization?

The main benefits of memoization are improved performance, reduced computation time, and efficient resource usage, especially for recursive functions.

Are there any downsides to using memoization?

Yes, memoization can increase memory usage due to caching results, and it may not be suitable for functions with a large number of unique inputs.