Side Effect Meaning

(computing) A change in state caused by a function call (typically "side-effect").

Example: 1987, Brundtland Report:
  The processing of certain raw materials - pulp and paper, oil, and alumina, for example - can have substantial environmental side effects.
1980, Advanced Automation for Space Missions:
  A side effect of this architecture (which was designed only for efficient fabrication) is that it also performs automated repair.
2007, Sylvia Escott-Stump, Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care[1]:
  Useful for mild depression but may trigger coronary problems. A positive side effect is that it may actually help with degenerative joint disease symptoms.
  Eiffel is somewhat purist about insisting that functions have no side effects.