Diving Into Python: Chapter 14

This is the 14th part of this article series about Python This series was only for taking you through the very basics concepts of Python. Afterwards in the second version of this article series I'll take you through some advanced concepts.

For getting the theme of Python, kindly go through my previous articles:

• Diving Into Python : Chapter 1
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 2
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 3
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 4
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 5
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 6
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 7
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 8
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 9
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 10
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 11
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 12
• Diving Into Python : Chapter 13

Anonymous / Lambda Function

An anonymous function is a function that doesn't require any name or we can say that it can be defined without using a def keyword, unlike normal functions creation in the Python.

In Python an anonymous function is defined using the "Lambda" keyword. That's why it is also called a Lambda function.

Example

find_val = lambda x : x*x+2
print (find_val(2))

Output:



Why Anonymous Functions

Now, there might be a question in your mind, what is the real use of a lambda / anonymous function in Python, since we have already general functions available (using the def keyword). Actually, in Python we use anonymous functions when we require a nameless for a short span of time.

Anonymous functions are actually quite useful. Python supports a style of programming called functional programming where you can pass functions to other functions to do some really cool stuff.

The preceding argument may sound unfamiliar, let me explain in short. We do use anonymous function as an argument to a higher-order function.

Let's take a close look at some example for a better understanding:

Example:

In a simple program of sorting out even numbers from a list, using the traditional function, the function name is defined using def the keyword. Have a look:

def myfunc(x):
return (x % 2 == 0)
even_num = list(filter(myfunc, [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]))
print (even_num)

Explanation

It will give you [2, 4, 6, 8] for sure.


Now let's do the same thing using an anonymous method in Python, using the lambda keyword. Have a look:

even_num = list(filter(lambda x: x % 2 == 0, [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]))

print (even_num)

Explanation

This method will also produce the same result.


Built-In Functions

We generally use Anonymous Functions along with some built-in functions, these are:



Let's explore them in details.

• Filter() Function
  
  As I discussed earlier, a filter() function takes a function and a list as arguments and proceeds functioning on them.
  
  Example
  
  pos_int = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  even_num = list(filter(lambda x: (x%2 == 0) , pos_int))
  print(even_num)
  
  Output
  
  
  Explanation
  
  Here we are passing a number of arguments in a list and a filter function is doing it's job, that is nothing but taking a defined function pos_int and listing arguments.
  
  Without a filter function
  
  To do that without a filter function it will surely give you a type error. Let's see what this type error is saying (making some changes in the code).
  
  pos_int = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  even_num = list(lambda x: (x%2 == 0) , pos_int)
  print(even_num)
  
  Result
  
  As defined:
  
  
  
• Map() Function
  
  The map() function in Python takes in a function and a repective list for functioning. The function is called with all the items in the list and a new list is returned containing items returned by that function for each item.
  
  Example
  
  pos_int = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  even_num = list(map(lambda x: (x%2 == 0) , pos_int))
  print(even_num)
  
  Output
  
  
  Explanation
  
  Here we are passing a number of arguments in the list and the map function is doing the rest of the job, something like boolean operations.
  
  Without a map function in our snippet
  
  If we don't use the map function in our snippet then it will surely give you a type error, the same as in the case of the filter function. Let's see what this type error is saying (making some changes in the code).
  
  pos_int = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  even_num = list(lambda x: (x%2 == 0) , pos_int)
  print(even_num)
  
  Result
  
  As defined:
  
  

Pin Points

• An anonymous function cannot be directly called to the print, because unlike a normal function, a lambda requires an expression.
  
• It can take any number of the arguments but returns only one value in the form of an expression.
  
• Anonymous functions have their own local namespace.
  
• Anonymous functions can't access variables other than those in their functioning parenthesis.

Guidelines from my side

• Do as much as code you can.
• Code anything you want, the best way to learn.
• Don't just study things, try to learn them.
• Work on your concepts.
• Work on the fundamentals of any technology or stuff you want to learn.

Python Says


Moto

“Keep calm and code Python”.

I tried to make this an interesting and interactive article and wish you guys like that, meanwhile if you have any suggestions then your welcome.

This series was only for taking you through the very basics concepts of Python. Afterwards in the second version of this article series I'll take you through some advanced concepts.

Until the advanced stuff, work on your basics if you began learning and keep sharing!