What are some real-world uses of immutable data?

What are some real-world uses of immutable data?

Immutable data is used in various fields like blockchain, databases, and functional programming. For instance, in blockchain, once data is written, it cannot be altered, ensuring security and transparency.

Can you give me an example of how it's used in databases?

Sure! In databases, immutable data structures can help with versioning. For example, when a record is updated, instead of changing the existing record, a new version is created, preserving the old data for auditing.

What about in programming languages?

In functional programming languages like Haskell, immutable data is a core concept. It helps avoid side effects, making code easier to reason about and test.

Are there any downsides to using immutable data?

Yes, one downside is performance. Creating new copies of data instead of modifying existing data can lead to increased memory usage and slower performance in some scenarios.