You should use a lambda function in Python when you need to define a simple function for a short period of time. Some common situations where a lambda function may be useful include:
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As a callback function: You can use a lambda function as a callback function when you need to pass a function as an argument to another function, but the function is only going to be used once.
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With built-in functions: You can use lambda functions with built-in functions like map(), filter(), and reduce() to apply a simple operation to each element of a sequence, filter elements based on a condition, or aggregate elements in some way.
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In functional programming: If you are using functional programming techniques, you may find yourself using lambda functions more frequently. Lambda functions are often used in conjunction with higher-order functions like map(), filter(), and reduce() to create powerful and expressive code.
Overall, lambda functions are a convenient way to create small, anonymous functions that can be used once and then discarded. They are useful when you need to define a function quickly and don't want to clutter up your code with named functions that you may not need later on.