Are idempotent functions the same as pure functions?

function idempotent pure-function
Lai Yu-Hsuan picture Lai Yu-Hsuan · Jan 26, 2011 · Viewed 8.2k times · Source

I read Wikipedia's explanation of idempotence. I know it means a function's output is determined by it's input. But I remember that I heard a very similar concept: pure function. I Google them but can't find their difference...

Are they equivalent?

Answer

SLaks picture SLaks · Jan 26, 2011

An idempotent function can cause idempotent side-effects.

A pure function cannot.

For example, a function which sets the text of a textbox is idempotent (because multiple calls will display the same text), but not pure.
Similarly, deleting a record by GUID (not by count) is idempotent, because the row stays deleted after subsequent calls. (additional calls do nothing)

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