How JavaScript closures work, in plain English

JavaScript is a versatile language that supports functional programming, which has gained popularity over object-oriented programming due to its ability to address many associated challenges. A key concept in functional programming is closures, which are often misunderstood due to their technical explanations. Closures allow functions to access variables from their outer scope even after the outer function has finished executing, as demonstrated through examples like `makeCounter` and `makeFruitGarden`. Understanding closures involves grasping lexical scope, which refers to the accessibility of variables within different levels of a function's environment. Common use cases for closures include currying, higher-order functions, and DOM element managers, which are essential in modern JavaScript development. The text emphasizes the importance of closures in enhancing a developer's ability to write efficient and maintainable code and introduces tools like LogRocket for better debugging and understanding of JavaScript errors.