What are closures in JavaScript and how do they affect memory management?

What are closures in JavaScript?

Closures are functions that retain access to their lexical scope, even when the function is executed outside that scope.

Can you give me an example of a closure?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

function outerFunction() {
    let outerVariable = 'I am outside!';
    function innerFunction() {
        console.log(outerVariable);
    }
    return innerFunction;
}

const myClosure = outerFunction();
myClosure(); // Outputs: I am outside!

How do closures affect memory management?

Closures can lead to increased memory usage because they keep references to their outer scope. If not managed properly, this can cause memory leaks.

What are some best practices for using closures?

Some best practices include avoiding unnecessary closures, using them only when needed, and being mindful of the scope to prevent memory leaks.