In JavaScript, closures are created when an inner function retains access to variables from its outer function, even after the outer function has completed.
Function factories, like makeCounter(), generate new instances with their own private variables, showcasing the independence of each counter.
Closures enable state persistence, allowing variables to preserve their values across multiple function calls and aiding in managing state without global variables.
Understanding closures in JavaScript is essential as they facilitate encapsulation and memory management, making patterns like private counters more natural to implement.