Scala Language Functions
Remarks
Scala has first-class functions.
Difference between functions and methods:
A function is not a method in Scala: functions are a value, and may be assigned as such. Methods (created using def), on the other hand, must belong to a class, trait or object.
- Functions are compiled to a class extending a trait (such as
Function1) at compile-time, and are instantiated to a value at runtime. Methods, on the other hand, are members of their class, trait or object, and do not exist outside of that. - A method may be converted to a function, but a function cannot be converted to a method.
- Methods can have type parameterization, whereas functions do not.
- Methods can have parameter default values, whereas functions can not.
