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clarify wording on pure-functions overview to allow immutable hidden state, and add an example #3134
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clarify wording on pure-functions overview to allow immutable hidden state, and add an example #3134
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@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Another feature that Scala offers to help you write functional code is the abili | |
A _pure function_ can be defined like this: | ||
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- A function `f` is pure if, given the same input `x`, it always returns the same output `f(x)` | ||
- The function’s output depends _only_ on its input variables and its implementation | ||
- The function’s output depends _only_ on its input variables and its implementation (and in case of a closure, any immutable data that it captures) | ||
- It only computes the output and does not modify the world around it | ||
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This implies: | ||
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@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Conversely, the following functions are _impure_ because they violate the defini | |
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Impure functions often do one or more of these things: | ||
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- Read from hidden state, i.e., they access variables and data not explicitly passed into the function as input parameters | ||
- Read from hidden mutable state, i.e., they access non-constant data that was not explicitly passed into the function as input parameters | ||
- Write to hidden state | ||
- Mutate the parameters they’re given, or mutate hidden variables, such as fields in their containing class | ||
- Perform some sort of I/O with the outside world | ||
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@@ -98,6 +98,21 @@ def double(i: Int): Int = i * 2 | |
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{% endtabs %} | ||
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The next example is bit more tricky. Here, `i` is not passed as a parameter, but instead referenced directly from the outside. | ||
This works in Scala because functions act as closures - they can capture the state around them. As long as that state is *immutable*, such a closure is still considered pure. | ||
There was a problem hiding this comment. Choose a reason for hiding this commentThe reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more. Not sure this is the best wording since we usually use "state" to talk about mutable state. Not all of the time. I would suggest "capture values from enclosing scopes". |
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In this case, the function always returns `6` and each call can be safely replaced with its result. | ||
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{% tabs fp-pure-function-closure %} | ||
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{% tab 'Scala 2 and 3' %} | ||
```scala | ||
val i = 3 | ||
def double(): Int = i * 2 | ||
``` | ||
{% endtab %} | ||
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{% endtabs %} | ||
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If you’re comfortable with recursion, here’s a pure function that calculates the sum of a list of integers: | ||
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{% tabs fp-pure-recursive-function class=tabs-scala-version %} | ||
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@@ -129,7 +144,7 @@ If you understand that code, you’ll see that it meets the pure function defini | |
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The first key point of this section is the definition of a pure function: | ||
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> A _pure function_ is a function that depends only on its declared inputs and its implementation to produce its output. | ||
> A _pure function_ is a function that depends only on its declared inputs, captured constants, and its implementation to produce its output. | ||
There was a problem hiding this comment. Choose a reason for hiding this commentThe reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more. suggest "closed-over values" rather than "captured constants" |
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> It only computes its output and does not depend on or modify the outside world. | ||
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A second key point is that every real-world application interacts with the outside world. | ||
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"non-constant" is not really a synonym for "mutable". I would suggest using the word "mutable" again even if it feels a bit repetitive; it's more important to be precise.