Using Scala, I've found the ability to pass around first class functions, and the default immutability of variables, enables me to make profound algorithmic opt

Using Scala, I've found the ability to pass around first class functions, and the default immutability of variables, enables me to make profound algorithmic optimizations I wouldn't undertake in C++ et al. Then, if the computation generates too much garbage or goes slowly in a loop, I can then take shortcuts, like using mutable local variables, to make that section go faster.