Functions as Objects

In Python, functions are objects like any other value. You can store them in variables, pass them to other functions, return them from functions, and even store them in data structures. This concept is called "first-class functions." This idea might seem abstract at first, but it's fundamental to Python's flexibility. Understanding it unlocks powerful patterns like callbacks, strategies, and the decorator pattern we'll explore later. Functions Are Values A function name without parentheses refers to the function object itself, not the result of calling it. This distinction is crucial: Functions in Collections Since functions are objects, you can store them in lists, dictionaries, or any other data structure. This enables powerful patterns: This pattern is sometimes called a "dispatch table