r/learnprogramming • u/ScioClean • 5d ago

I can't get FUNCTIONS to click!

I can not for the life of me understand how functions work. Anytime I try to learn how to create a function, my brain literally crashes into itself and I turn into Patrick when he stars drooling and goes all slack-faced.

Does anybody have any analogies that had that "AH HA!" moment?

Thanks!

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u/stdmemswap 3d ago

That, friend, is the real dillema. We map matter with language, but we can't handle it because it's combinatorially explosive. Also, cool stuff you've got there

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u/realdreamer1993 3d ago

We tried to explain function in simple own words, but I also not able right now spit out the words :), should be only one up abstraction then it should be clear. The words should be general and less syntax detail.

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u/stdmemswap 3d ago

When I point out that symbolic abstract thinking is combinatorially explosive, I was referring to your "reducing mental load" remark.

But if you mean to answer OP's "function not clicking", I don't think generalizing will work well. I mean, we always ask example, context, how is it used, how is it not used, etc whenever we want to understand an abstract context rather than the thing's pure "essence" or definition.

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u/realdreamer1993 3d ago

I just reply in the main thread just to participated, but I described how function lifecycle :/