ITGSS Certified DevOps Engineer Practice Test

In programming, what type of object cannot have its state modified after creation?

1. Mutable

2. Static

3. Immutable

4. Dynamic

The correct answer is: Immutable

An immutable object is designed such that once it is created, its state cannot be altered. This characteristic is crucial in various programming paradigms and is particularly beneficial in functional programming. Immutability provides several advantages: it enhances predictability and reliability since the object will not change state unexpectedly, making it easier to understand the flow of data and debug code. Furthermore, immutable objects are inherently thread-safe, as the lack of state modification eliminates issues related to concurrent modifications, which can lead to race conditions in multithreaded environments. In many programming languages, including Java and Python, immutability is a deliberate design choice for certain data types, like strings or tuples, allowing developers to create safer and more maintainable code. In contrast, mutable objects can have their state changed, which can lead to unexpected behavior if not managed carefully. Static refers to how memory is allocated or type behavior rather than mutability. Dynamic pertains more to the capability of types or memory allocation to change. These distinctions highlight why immutability stands out, as it fundamentally alters how objects interact within the program.