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Advantages and Disadvantages of Functional Programming

Explore the main advantages and disadvantages of functional programming in Python. Understand how it can lead to clearer code, fewer bugs, and easier multiprocessing while recognizing its learning curve and potential inefficiency in certain scenarios. This lesson helps you evaluate when and how to apply functional programming effectively.

Advantages of functional programming

Here are the main advantages of functional programming:

FP often creates less code

This is because it tends to work at a slightly higher level than the other paradigms, so it achieves more with each line of code.

Intent of the code is clearer

For example, if you use map to apply a function to a data stream, the meaning is clear and unambiguous. However, if you define a procedural function that loops over the data and applies the function, you need to read and understand the code to check exactly what it is doing.

There are often fewer bugs

Using standard functions that are well tested, instead of ad hoc loops ...