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Higher Order Functions in Scala

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025
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A function is called Higher Order Function if it contains other functions as a parameter or returns a function as an output i.e, the functions that operate with another functions are known as Higher order Functions. It is worth knowing that this higher order function is applicable for functions and methods as well that takes functions as parameter or returns a function as a result. This is practicable as the compiler of Scala allows to force methods into functions. Some important points about Higher order functions:
  • The Higher order functions are possible, as Scala programming language acts towards the functions as first-class values, which implies that analogous to some other values, functions can even be passed as a parameter or can be returned as an output, which is helpful in supplying an adjustable method for writing codes.
  • It is beneficial in producing function composition where, functions might be formed from another functions. The function composition is the method of composing where a function shows the utilization of two composed functions.
  • It is also constructive in creating lambda functions or anonymous functions. The anonymous functions are the functions which does not has name, though perform like a function.
  • It is even utilized in minimizing redundant lines of code from a program.
Now, lets see some examples.
  • Example : Scala 
    // Scala program of higher order
// function

// Creating object
object GfG 
{
    
    // Main method
    def main(args: Array[String]) 
    {
        // Displays output by assigning 
        // value and calling functions
        println(apply(format, 32))
    
    }
    
    // A higher order function
    def apply(x: Double => String, y: Double) = x(y)

    // Defining a function for
    // the format and using a
    // method toString()
    def format[R](z: R) = "{" + z.toString() + "}"
    
}
    Output: 
    {32.0}
    Here, the apply function contains an another function x with a value y and applies the function x to y.
  • Example : Scala 
    // Scala program of higher order
// function

// Creating object
object GfG 
{
    // Main method
    def main(args: Array[String]) 
    {
    
        // Creating a list of numbers
        val num = List(7, 8, 9)
    
        // Defining a method
        def multiplyValue = (y: Int) => y * 3
    
        // Creating a higher order function 
        // that is assigned to the variable
        val result = num.map(y => multiplyValue(y))
    
        // Displays output
        println("Multiplied List is: " + result)
    }
}
    Output: 
    Multiplied List is: List(21, 24, 27)
    Here, map is a function that takes another function i.e, (y => multiplyValue(y)) as a parameter so, it is a higher order function.

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nidhi1352singh
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