Lambda: meaning, definitions and examples
λ
lambda
[ ˈlæmbdə ]
mathematics, programming
In mathematics and computer science, 'lambda' often refers to an anonymous function or a function defined without a name. It is commonly used in functional programming to create small, throwaway functions. Lambda expressions are a way to define a function in a concise syntax, allowing the creation of functions on the fly, especially as arguments to high-order functions. The term derives from the notation introduced by Alonzo Church in the 1930s to formulate a formal system of logic and computation.
Synonyms
anonymous function, function literal, lambda expression.
Examples of usage
- The lambda function can be used to filter a list.
- In Python, you can create a simple transformation of data using a lambda expression.
- Lambda calculus is foundational for understanding functional programming.
Translations
Translations of the word "lambda" in other languages:
🇵🇹 lambda
- letra grega
- função anônima
🇮🇳 लैम्ब्डा
- ग्रीक अक्षर
- अज्ञात कार्य
🇩🇪 Lambda
- griechischer Buchstabe
- anonyme Funktion
🇮🇩 lambda
- huruf Yunani
- fungsi anonim
🇺🇦 лямбда
- грецька буква
- анонімна функція
🇵🇱 lambda
- litera grecka
- funkcja anonimowa
🇯🇵 ラムダ
- ギリシャ文字
- 匿名関数
🇫🇷 lambda
- lettre grecque
- fonction anonyme
🇪🇸 lambda
- letra griega
- función anónima
🇹🇷 lambda
- Yunan harfi
- anonim fonksiyon
🇰🇷 람다
- 그리스 문자
- 익명 함수
🇸🇦 لامدا
- حرف يوناني
- دالة مجهولة
🇨🇿 lambda
- řecké písmeno
- anonymní funkce
🇸🇰 lambda
- grécke písmeno
- anonymná funkcia
🇨🇳 λ (lambda)
- 希腊字母
- 匿名函数
🇸🇮 lambda
- grška črka
- anonimna funkcija
🇮🇸 lambda
- gríska stafur
- nafnlaus aðgerð
🇰🇿 лямбда
- грек әрпі
- анонимді функция
🇬🇪 ლამბდა
- ბერძნული ასო
- ანონიმური ფუნქცია
🇦🇿 lambda
- yunan hərfi
- anonim funksiya
🇲🇽 lambda
- letra griega
- función anónima
Etymology
The term 'lambda' comes from the Greek letter λ (lambda), which was used by mathematician Alonzo Church in his formulation of lambda calculus in the 1930s. This notation allowed the representation of functions as first-class citizens and set the foundation for functional programming paradigms. Lambda calculus was instrumental in the development of programming languages that incorporate functional programming concepts. Over time, the term 'lambda' has been adopted in various programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and Lisp to denote anonymous functions, highlighting a shift in the way developers approach function definitions and their scopes. Today, lambda functions are widely used in modern programming due to their simplicity and flexibility.