In Python, functions are considered first-class citizens. As such, this means that functions can be used as arguments in a style of coding called higher order programming in which a function has an argument that is itself a function.

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In Python, functions are considered first-class citizens.  As such, this means that functions can be used as arguments in a style of coding called higher order programming in which a function has an argument that is itself a function.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement describes a core property of Python related to functions and higher-order programming.
First, consider what it means for a language to treat functions as first-class citizens: functions are objects that can be created at runtime, assigned to variables, passed as arguments to other functions, returned from functions, and stored in data structures. Python indeed supports all of these capabilities, which is why functions are considered first-class citizens in Python.
Next, the phrase about higher-order programming points to the use of functions as arguments to other functions. A higher-order function is defined as a function that can take one or more functions as parameters, or return a function as its result. In Python, typical patterns include map, filter, reduce, or any function that accepts a callable as an argument, as well as decorators that wrap functions by receiving and returning functions.
To illustrate, you can pass a function as an argument to another function, such as using a function as a key in a sort, or providing a callback to handle events. This demonstrates the higher-order style of programming enabled by Python’s first-class function status.
Common misconceptions might include thinking only objects or values can be passed around, or that only simple data types can be stored in variables. The reality in Python is broader: functions themselves are objects and can be manipulated like any other object, enabling higher-order constructs.
If you compare Python to languages where functions are not first-class (or are limited, such as some older procedural languages), the ability to pass functions around would be restricted or require workarounds. In Python, however, the combination of first-class functions and high-order programming is native and idiomatic.
In sum, the statement aligns with Python’s design, describing that functions are first-class citizens and can be used as arguments in a higher-order programming style where a function's parameter is itself a function.

CIS-502-OLH-CRN47621 Exam 1

In Python, functions are considered first-class citizens. As such, this means that functions can be used as arguments in a style of coding called higher order programming in which a function has an argument that is itself a function.

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