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In object-oriented (OO) and functional programming, an immutable object (unchangeable [1] object) is an object whose state cannot be modified after it is created. [2] This is in contrast to a mutable object (changeable object), which can be modified after it is created. [ 3 ]
In computer science, having value semantics (also value-type semantics or copy-by-value semantics) means for an object that only its value counts, not its identity. [1] [2] Immutable objects have value semantics trivially, [3] and in the presence of mutation, an object with value semantics can only be uniquely-referenced at any point in a program.
In C#, a class is a reference type while a struct (concept derived from the struct in C language) is a value type. [5] Hence an instance derived from a class definition is an object while an instance derived from a struct definition is said to be a value object (to be precise a struct can be made immutable to represent a value object declaring attributes as readonly [6]).
One example is mutability: whether the objects storing extrinsic flyweight state can change. Immutable objects are easily shared, but require creating new extrinsic objects whenever a change in state occurs. In contrast, mutable objects can share state. Mutability allows better object reuse via the caching and re-initialization of old, unused ...
Functional languages also simulate states by passing around immutable states. This can be done by making a function accept the state as one of its parameters, and return a new state together with the result, leaving the old state unchanged. [82] Impure functional languages usually include a more direct method of managing mutable state.
In object-oriented programming, "immutable interface" is a pattern for designing an immutable object. [1] The immutable interface pattern involves defining a type which does not provide any methods which mutate state. Objects which are referenced by that type are not seen to have any mutable state, and appear immutable.
Santa Claus’ suit may be one of his immutable features today, but he didn’t always wear red — and his closet used to be much more expansive. The legendary gift-giver’s style is just one ...
Passing such immutable objects between variables have no observable differences if the object is copied or passed by reference, unless the object identity is taken. In a functional programming language where nothing is mutable (such as Haskell), such distinction does not exist at all and becomes an implementation detail.