What are first-class functions in Python?

Can you explain what first-class functions are in Python?

First-class functions in Python mean that functions are treated as first-class citizens. This means they can be passed as arguments, returned from other functions, and assigned to variables.

Can you give me an example of a first-class function?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

def greet(name):
    return f'Hello, {name}!'

def call_function(func, name):
    return func(name)

print(call_function(greet, 'Alice'))  # Output: Hello, Alice!

Are there any benefits to using first-class functions?

Yes, they promote higher-order functions, enable callbacks, and allow for more flexible and modular code.

Can you explain higher-order functions?

Higher-order functions are functions that can take other functions as arguments or return them as results. They allow for powerful abstractions in programming.