npm package: @stdlib/utils-memoize
Description: Memoize a function.
Author: The Stdlib Authors
Latest version: 0.2.3

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# memoize

[![NPM version][npm-image]][npm-url] [![Build Status][test-image]][test-url] [![Coverage Status][coverage-image]][coverage-url] <!-- [![dependencies][dependencies-image]][dependencies-url] -->

> Memoize a function.

<!-- Section to include introductory text. Make sure to keep an empty line after the intro `section` element and another before the `/section` close. -->

<section class="intro">

</section>

<!-- /.intro -->

<!-- Package usage documentation. -->

<section class="installation">

## Installation

```bash
npm install @stdlib/utils-memoize
```

</section>

<section class="usage">

## Usage

```javascript
var memoize = require( '@stdlib/utils-memoize' );
```

#### memoize( fcn\[, hashFunction] )

Memoizes a function.

```javascript
var randu = require( '@stdlib/random-base-randu' );

function rand( n ) {
    return n * randu();
}

var memoized = memoize( rand );

var v1 = memoized( 5 );
var v2 = memoized( 5 );

var bool = ( v1 === v2 );
// returns true
```

By default, the implementation serializes provided arguments as a `string` and stores results using the `string` as an identifier. To use a custom hash function, provide a hash function argument.

```javascript
function add( obj ) {
    return obj.x + obj.y + obj.z;
}

obj = {
    'x': 3,
    'y': 4,
    'z': 5
};

// Default behavior...

var memoized = memoize( add );

var v1 = memoized( obj );
// returns 12

var str = obj.toString();
// returns '[object Object]'

var v2 = memoized.cache[ str ];
// returns 12

obj.x = 1000;

var v3 = memoized( obj );
// returns 12

// Custom hash function...

function hashFunction( args ) {
    return JSON.stringify( args );
}

memoized = memoize( add, hashFunction );

v1 = memoized( obj );
// returns 1009

str = hashFunction( [ obj ] );
// returns '[{"x":1000,"y":4,"z":5}]'

v2 = memoized.cache[ str ];
// returns 1009

obj.x = 6;

v3 = memoized( obj );
// returns 15
```

#### memoized.cache

Results cache. Note that, while the property is **read-only**, cache contents may be modified independently of the memoized function.

```javascript
function beep( x ) {
    throw new Error( 'boop' );
}

var memoized = memoize( beep );

var cache = memoized.cache;
// returns {}

// Modify the cache:
cache[ 'bop' ] = 'bip';

var str = memoized( 'bop' );
// returns 'bip'
```

</section>

<!-- /.usage -->

<!-- Package usage notes. Make sure to keep an empty line after the `section` element and another before the `/section` close. -->

<section class="notes">

## Notes

-   The implementation does **not** set the `length` of the returned function. Accordingly, the returned function `length` is **always** `0`.
-   The evaluation context is **always** `null`.

</section>

<!-- /.notes -->

<!-- Package usage examples. -->

<section class="examples">

## Examples

<!-- eslint no-undef: "error" -->

```javascript
var randu = require( '@stdlib/random-base-randu' );
var floor = require( '@stdlib/math-base-special-floor' );
var memoize = require( '@stdlib/utils-memoize' );

var fcn;
var n;
var v;
var i;

function rand( n ) {
    return n * randu();
}

fcn = memoize( rand );

for ( i = 0; i < 100; i++ ) {
    n = floor( randu() * 5 );
    v = fcn( n );
    console.log( 'rand(%d) = %d', n, v );
}
```

</section>

<!-- /.examples -->

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<section class="references">

</section>

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<section class="related">

</section>

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<section class="main-repo" >

* * *

## Notice

This package is part of [stdlib][stdlib], a standard library for JavaScript and Node.js, with an emphasis on numerical and scientific computing. The library provides a collection of robust, high performance libraries for mathematics, statistics, streams, utilities, and more.

For more information on the project, filing bug reports and feature requests, and guidance on how to develop [stdlib][stdlib], see the main project [repository][stdlib].

#### Community

[![Chat][chat-image]][chat-url]

---

## License

See [LICENSE][stdlib-license].


## Copyright

Copyright &copy; 2016-2026. The Stdlib [Authors][stdlib-authors].

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[umd]: https://github.com/umdjs/umd
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