Higher Order Functions
Higher order functions are functions that either take other functions as arguments, return functions as results, or both. They are a fundamental concept in functional programming that enables abstraction, code reuse, and declarative programming patterns. By treating functions as first-class citizens, they allow for powerful operations like mapping, filtering, and reducing over data structures.
Developers should learn higher order functions to write more concise, readable, and maintainable code, especially when working with collections or implementing functional programming paradigms. They are essential in languages like JavaScript, Python, and Scala for tasks such as data transformation, event handling, and asynchronous programming, as they reduce boilerplate and promote immutability.