Difference between currying and partial application
The below table lists some of the key differences between currying and partial application.
Feature | Currying | Partial Application |
---|---|---|
Argument Application | Converts a function taking multiple arguments into a sequence of functions each taking one argument | Fixes some arguments, leaving others open for later invocation |
Return Value | Returns a new function until all arguments are provided | Returns a new function with some arguments pre-filled |
Use Cases | Currying is particularly useful for creating functions with fixed initial arguments, where the remaining arguments can vary. It facilitates function composition and reusability. | Partial application is handy when you want to create specialized versions of functions with certain arguments pre-filled, leaving others open for later customization. |
Performance: | Currying may lead to the creation of multiple function closures, potentially impacting memory usage and performance, especially when dealing with deeply nested curried functions. | Partial application, especially when achieved through methods like bind(), may have better performance as it directly binds arguments to the function without additional nesting. |
Invocation | Requires calling the function once for each argument | Immediately applies some arguments, returns a new function |
Currying vs Partial Application in JavaScript
Currying and partial application are both techniques used in functional programming languages to manipulate functions. They both involve breaking down functions with multiple arguments into functions that take fewer arguments. However, they have subtle differences in their implementation and applications.
Table of Content
- What is Currying?
- What is Partial Application?
- Difference between currying and partial application
- Conclusion