What are the performance impacts of using immutable data types?

What are the performance impacts of using immutable data types?

Using immutable data types can lead to increased memory usage and garbage collection overhead, but they also enhance safety and predictability.

Can you explain how they affect memory usage?

Sure! Immutable data types create a new instance for every change, which can lead to higher memory consumption compared to mutable types.

Are there scenarios where immutable types are preferred despite the performance cost?

Yes, in concurrent programming, immutable types can prevent data races and make reasoning about code easier, which can outweigh performance costs.

What programming languages support immutable data types?

Languages like JavaScript, Python, and Scala have built-in support for immutable data types, often through libraries or language features.