What is a Lambda?

Question

Could someone provide a good description of what a Lambda is? I have yet to find a good definition and explanation of what they are in the first place.

Answer 1

A lambda is simply a function without a name. Also called an anonymous function. It's a small, throwaway function you define inline without the usual def/function declaration.

Ex.

Regular named function:

def add(x, y):

return x + y

add(2, 3) # → 5

Equivalent lambda:

add = lambda x, y: x + y

add(2, 3) # → 5