What are return values in functional programming?

What are return values in functional programming?

In functional programming, return values are the outputs of functions that can be used as inputs for other functions.

Can you give me an example of a function with a return value?

Sure! Here's a simple example in Python:

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

This function returns the sum of a and b.

How do return values differ from side effects?

Return values provide output without changing the state of the program, while side effects can modify variables or perform I/O operations.

Why are return values important in functional programming?

They promote immutability and help create predictable, testable code by ensuring functions are pure and their outputs depend only on inputs.