Functional is that belonging to or relating to functions . The concept is linked to something or someone that works or serves.
An official can be functional to the interests of the government , for example, while a table is functional if it manages to satisfy the needs of its users.
Functional furniture
Generally, this adjective is used to refer to that whose design has been
focused on offering ease, comfort and usefulness in its use .
In this way, based on this meaning, it is interesting to emphasize that within the world of decoration it is becoming more and more common to hear this term. And it is used to refer to that entire set of furniture whose clear mission is to ensure that the people who use it are comfortable with it or find it easy to use.
Implants and prostheses
Certain devices allow a person to have greater functionality (being able to take care of themselves for different tasks), especially in cases where the subject suffers from some type of disability .
A prosthesis or an implant can help the person be more functional, that is, able to fulfill more functions in their daily life. These are objects that help increase capacity. In this sense, functionality is linked to accessibility , which is that which is easy to access, treat or understand. A functional object is a technical aid that guarantees greater accessibility; Therefore, it improves people's quality of life and autonomy.
The concept in mathematics and computing
In the field of mathematics, for example, the term functional is also used with some frequency. Specifically, in that one it is used to refer to a series of functions. Thus, for example, there would be the so-called functional equations, which are those that are made up of a series of unknowns and independent variables that have to be solved.
In computing, the term that concerns us now is also used. In its case, it is used to construct the expression “functional programming”, which is one that is the fundamental pillar of programming and is based on a set of arithmetic-type functions.
functional music
And all this without forgetting that the concept we are addressing is also used in the field of music. Specifically, in this area we talk about functional music , which is music that is characterized by the fact that it is composed and used for a specific and determined purpose.
In this way, for example, it can be interpreted for a specific religious or civil event, to sell a product, to be identified with a sports celebration or to serve as the soundtrack of a film.
The notion in grammar and chemistry
Functional grammar is that based on the study of the functions of the elements that constitute a language . Linguistics and other social sciences have a current known as functionalism , specialized in the analysis of systems as an integrated, coherent and functional whole.
In chemistry , the atom or set of atoms that give characteristic chemical properties to a certain organic molecule is known as a functional group .