Functie

Functie is a Dutch term with several related meanings. In everyday language it refers to the purpose or role of something, as in the function of an object or the function of a system. In a social or organizational context it denotes the position or job a person holds and the tasks associated with that role. The term is commonly used in job descriptions, human resources, and organizational planning.

In mathematics and related disciplines, functie means function: a relation that assigns to every element of a chosen input set exactly one element of an output set. The input set is called the domain, the target set the codomain. For example, the function f(x)=x^2 maps real numbers to nonnegative real numbers. Functions can be described by formulas, graphs, or rules.

In computer science, a functie (or function) is a named block of code that performs a specific task and can be invoked with arguments to produce a result. Functions help structure programs, promote reusability, and enable modular design. Depending on the programming language, a function may be pure (no side effects) or impure (may alter state). Some languages distinguish between functions, procedures, and methods.

In human resources, a functieomschrijving (job description) outlines the responsibilities, required qualifications, and reporting lines for a position. A functieprofiel (position profile) may summarize the strategic purpose of the role and its key competencies, while a functie-inventarisatie maps functions across an organization.

Etymology: the word is derived from Latin functio and entered Dutch via French fonction; cognate with English function.