What is functional programming in Python?

What is functional programming in Python?

Functional programming is a programming paradigm that treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions. In Python, it emphasizes the use of functions as first-class citizens, meaning they can be passed around as arguments, returned from other functions, and assigned to variables.

Can you give me an example of a functional programming concept in Python?

Sure! One common concept is the use of higher-order functions. For example, the map() function applies a given function to all items in an iterable, like this: list(map(lambda x: x * 2, [1, 2, 3])) which returns [2, 4, 6].

What are some benefits of using functional programming?

Some benefits include improved code readability, easier debugging, and enhanced modularity. It also promotes immutability, which can lead to fewer side effects.

Are there any libraries in Python that support functional programming?

Yes, Python has several libraries that support functional programming, such as functools, which provides higher-order functions, and itertools, which offers tools for creating iterators for efficient looping.