What are some examples of pure functions in programming?

What are some examples of pure functions in programming?

Pure functions are functions that always produce the same output for the same input and have no side effects. Examples include mathematical functions like add(a, b) or multiply(x, y), where the output depends only on the inputs.

Can you give me a specific example in JavaScript?

Sure! Here's a simple example in JavaScript:

function square(x) {
    return x * x;
}

This function takes a number x and returns its square, without modifying any external state.

What about an example in Python?

In Python, a pure function could look like this:

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

This function takes two arguments and returns their sum, with no side effects.

Are there any benefits to using pure functions?

Yes, pure functions are easier to test, reason about, and debug. They also enable better optimization by compilers and can lead to more predictable code.