Explain map() and flatmap().
Map()
and its close cousin flatMap()
are often used when we deal with data structures in Scala and both are higher-order functions.
map()
method : It functions similarly to mapping operations in other languages like JavaScript since it allows us to iterate over a collection to translate it into another collection. Every element of the collection is transformed by applying a function to it. Its uses are heavily overloaded, making it useful for situations that aren't immediately obvious. Scala's map()
method is exceptionally powerful.
flatpmap()
method : In Scala, flatMap()
is the same as map()
, except that flatMap removes the inner grouping of items and creates a sequence. Essentially, it is a combination of the flatten method and the map method. The map method followed by the flatten method produces the same result as flatMap()
, so we can say that flatMap runs the map method first, followed by the flatten method. Compared to the map method, flatMap is much more powerful.