In programming, objects can be classified as either mutable or immutable based on whether their state (data) can be changed after they are created. Let's explain the concepts of mutable and immutable objects:
Examples of mutable objects in many programming languages include lists, arrays, sets, dictionaries, and custom objects/classes that allow modification of their fields/properties.
Here's an example of a mutable list in Python:
mutable_list = [1, 2, 3]
mutable_list.append(4) # Modifies the list by adding a new element
mutable_list[0] = 100 # Modifies the first element of the list
Examples of immutable objects include strings, numbers (e.g., integers, floating-point numbers), tuples, and some built-in types like frozensets (an immutable version of a set).
Here's an example of an immutable string in Python:
immutable_string = "Hello"
# The following line will create a new string object rather than modifying the existing one
new_string = immutable_string + " World"
Advantages of Immutable Objects:
Disadvantages of Immutable Objects:
In summary, mutable objects allow changes to their state after creation, while immutable objects do not allow modifications and require creating new instances to change their data. The choice between mutable and immutable objects depends on the specific requirements of a program and the desired trade-offs between performance, safety, and code simplicity.