In Python, both lambda functions and regular functions defined with def are used to create functions.
However, there are some key differences between the two.
-
Syntax: Lambda functions are written in a single line of code, whereas regular functions defined with def can span multiple lines.
-
Function Name: Lambda functions do not have a name, whereas regular functions defined with def have a name.
-
Return Statement: Lambda functions automatically return the result of the expression they evaluate, while regular functions defined with def require an explicit return statement to return a value.
-
Arguments: Both types of functions can take any number of arguments, but lambda functions are typically used for simple, one-line expressions with one or two arguments.
-
Functionality: Regular functions defined with def can include complex logic, including flow control statements (such as if and while), error handling, and more complex calculations. Lambda functions are typically used for simple operations, such as filtering, mapping, or reducing data.
Here is an example that illustrates the differences between a lambda function and a regular function defined with def:
# Lambda function that adds two numbers
add_lambda = lambda x, y: x + y
# Regular function that adds two numbers
def add_def(x, y):
return x + y
# Calling the functions
print(add_lambda(2, 3)) # Output: 5
print(add_def(2, 3)) # Output: 5
In this example, we define a lambda function called add_lambda and a regular function called add_def, both of which add two numbers. When we call each function with the arguments 2 and 3, both functions return 5. The key difference between the two functions is their syntax: the lambda function is defined in a single line of code, whereas the regular function is defined with the def keyword and spans multiple lines.
