Side effect (computer science) facts for kids
A side effect in computer programming is when a part of a program does something noticeable besides just giving back a value. Think of it like a secret action happening behind the scenes!
For example, when a program shows a picture on your screen, that's a side effect. Or when it checks what year it is, that's another one. These actions change something outside of the program's direct calculation.
Code that has side effects can sometimes be tricky to understand. The order of instructions becomes super important. If you do things in the wrong order, the program might not work as you expect!
Side Effects and Functional Programming
In a style of coding called functional programming, programmers try to avoid side effects as much as possible. Why? Because it makes it easier to prove that a program will always do exactly what it's supposed to do. It's like having a recipe where each step only makes one thing, without messing up other parts of the kitchen.
Some functional languages, like Standard ML, Scheme, or Scala, allow side effects. But even in these languages, programmers usually try to use them less often.
In a language called Haskell, actions that have side effects must be clearly marked. This makes it very easy to see which parts of the code might change things outside of their direct job. It helps programmers keep track of what's happening.
See also
- In Spanish: Efecto secundario (informática) para niños
