Using a lambda function within another function

[JChapman]

I have very recently started looking at python, most of my (recent) prior programming experience being with VBA, and have been following the W3Schools tutorials. I am currently looking at Lambda functions (specifically here: https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_lambda.asp) and am struggling to implement them into my code. The following code works fine:

def foo(n):
  return lambda a : a * n

bar = myfunc(3)

print(bar(11))

However, the issues I come into arise when using a lambda function which uses a different number of arguments to the function that it is used within. For example, I cannot get the following code to work:

def foo(n,m):
  return lambda a : a * (n+m)

bar = myfunc(3)

print(bar(11,5))

What is the cause of this issue, and how should I resolve it?

Cheers

---

I have very recently started looking at python, most of my (recent) prior programming experience being with VBA, and have been following the W3Schools tutorials. I am currently looking at Lambda functions (specifically here: https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_lambda.asp) and am struggling to implement them into my code. The following code works fine:

def foo(n):
  return lambda a : a * n

bar = myfunc(3)

print(bar(11))

However, the issues I come into arise when using a lambda function which uses a different number of arguments to the function that it is used within. For example, I cannot get the following code to work:

def foo(n,m):
  return lambda a : a * (n+m)

bar = myfunc(3)

print(bar(11,5))

What is the cause of this issue, and how should I resolve it?

Cheers

Edit: 'myfunc' should be 'foo'. Unfortunately I am not allowed to edit my post to correct this (???)

[Larz60+]

first code cannot run as myfunc has not been defined, to make it function use:

def foo(n):
  return lambda a : a * n
 
bar = foo(3)
 
print(bar(11))

Second code myfunc not defined, and passing only 1 argument where two are required.

[JChapman]

first code cannot run as myfunc has not been defined, to make it function use:

def foo(n):
  return lambda a : a * n
 
bar = foo(3)
 
print(bar(11))

Second code myfunc not defined, and passing only 1 argument where two are required.

Cheers for your response. However, I did pick up on the 'myfunc/foo' mistake in my previous post.

[Larz60+]

I think editing post is allowed after 4 or 5 posts.

[JChapman]

I think editing post is allowed after 4 or 5 posts.

Thanks for letting me know.

passing only 1 argument where two are required.

So are you saying that when implementing a lambda function within another function, the 2 should always have the same number of arguments?

[Larz60+]

Sort of, the number of function arguments must be matched, unless optional. For example:

def foo(a, b):
    ...

must be passed two arguments.
but:

def foo(a, b=1):
    ...

Only requires a, but b is optional, and defaults to 1 if not provided.

[JChapman]

Sort of, the number of function arguments must be matched, unless optional. For example:

def foo(a, b):
    ...

must be passed two arguments.
but:

def foo(a, b=1):
    ...

Only requires a, but b is optional, and defaults to 1 if not provided.

Perhaps my entire interpretation of Lambda functions (when used within another function) is completely off. I perceived them as being similar to models and factories? That is, they allow you to create a 'blueprint' for a function from which new functions (which perform the same sort of operations) may be quickly and easily created?

[buran]

I think your confusion is not with lambda, but with functions altogether. Let's look at your second snippet (fixed for the NameError) and with some additions from me

def foo(n,m):
    return lambda a: a * (n + m)
 
bar = foo(n=11, m=5)
 
print(bar(a=3))

on line#4 you supply values for n and m (i.e. arguments for foo() function, not the lambda. Now bar function is effectively the same as

def bar(a):
    return a * 16

and then you call bar(), supplying the a argument.

Now, what you describe as blueprint for function:

def my_power(power):
    return lambda x: x ** power
    
pow2 =  my_power(2) # pow2 will get an argument and will raise to power of 2
pow3 = my_power(3) # pow3 will get an argument and will raise to power of 3

print(pow2(2)) # x=2
print(pow3(5)) # x=5

Output:
4
125
>>>

Now there are other way to create "blueprints for function"

from functools import partial

def my_power(num, power):
    return num ** power
    
pow2 =  partial(my_power, power=2)
pow3 = partial(my_power, power=3)

print(pow2(2)) # num=2
print(pow3(5)) # num=5
# and you still can do
print(my_power(2, 3))

Output:
4
125
8
>>>

[JChapman]

I think your confusion is not with lambda, but with functions altogether. Let's look at your second snippet (fixed for the NameError) and with some additions from me

def foo(n,m): return lambda a: a * (n + m) bar = foo(n=11, m=5) print(bar(a=3))

on line#4 you supply values for n and m (i.e. arguments for foo() function, not the lambda. Now bar function is effectively the same as

def bar(a): return a * 16

and then you call bar(), supplying the a argument. Now, what you describe as blueprint for function:

def my_power(power): return lambda x: x ** power pow2 = my_power(2) # pow2 will get an argument and will raise to power of 2 pow3 = my_power(3) # pow3 will get an argument and will raise to power of 3 print(pow2(2)) # x=2 print(pow3(5)) # x=5

Output:
4 125 >>>

Now there are other way to create "blueprints for function"

from functools import partial def my_power(num, power): return num ** power pow2 = partial(my_power, power=2) pow3 = partial(my_power, power=3) print(pow2(2)) # num=2 print(pow3(5)) # num=5 # and you still can do print(my_power(2, 3))

Output:
4 125 8 >>>

That's great - cheers for the in-depth explanation.