Implementing Domain-Driven Design

Side-Effect-Free Behavior

A method of an object can be designed as a Side-Effect-Free Function [Evans]. A function is an operation of an object that produces output but without modifying its own state. Since no modification occurs when executing a specific operation, that operation is said to be side-effect free. The methods of an immutable Value Object must all be Side-Effect-Free Functions because they must not violate its immutability quality. You may consider this characteristic as part and parcel with immutability. It is closely tied. However, I prefer to break it out as a distinct characteristic because doing so emphasizes a huge benefit of Value Objects. Otherwise, we might see Values only as attribute containers, overlooking one of the ...