Is Javascript a Functional Programming Language?

Question

Just because functions are first class objects, there are closures, and higher order functions, does Javascript deserve to be called a Functional Programming language? The

Answer 1

The term "functional programming" language is so overloaded these days it's almost useless. There are two dominant meanings:

1. Has first-class functions
   • Javascript is this!
2. Is based on functions as used in the lambda calculus, with an emphasis on avoiding persistent mutable state (often replacing it with parameters passed to functions)
   • As commonly written, Javascript is not remotely this!

Pick your meaning and then the question is answerable.