Understanding lambda in python and using it to pass multiple arguments

Question

After reading everything I can find on lambda, I still don't understand how to make it do what I want.

Everyone uses the example:

lambda x, y : x + y

Why do you need to state both x and y before the :? Also how do you make it return multiple arguments?

for example:

self.buttonAdd_1 = Button(self, text='+', command=lambda : self.calculate(self.buttonOut_1.grid_info(), 1))

This works just fine. But the following code does not:

self.entry_1.bind("<Return>", lambda : self.calculate(self.buttonOut_1.grid_info(), 1))

It yields the error:

TypeError: () takes no arguments (1 given)

Answer 1

Why do you need to state both 'x' and 'y' before the ':'?

Because a lambda is (conceptually) the same as a function, just written inline. Your example is equivalent to

def f(x, y) : return x + y

just without binding it to a name like f.

Also how do you make it return multiple arguments?

The same way like with a function. Preferably, you return a tuple:

lambda x, y: (x+y, x-y)

Or a list, or a class, or whatever.

The thing with self.entry_1.bind should be answered by Demosthenex.

Answer 2

I believe bind always tries to send an event parameter. Try:

self.entry_1.bind("<Return>", lambda event: self.calculate(self.buttonOut_1.grid_info(), 1))

You accept the parameter and never use it.

Answer 3

Why do you need to state both x and y before the :?

Because it's a function definition and it needs to know what parameters the function accepts, and in what order. It can't just look at the expression and use the variables names in that, because some of those names you might want to use existing local or global variable values for, and even if it did that, it wouldn't know what order it should expect to get them.

Your error message means that Tk is calling your lambda with one argument, while your lambda is written to accept no arguments. If you don't need the argument, just accept one and don't use it. (Demosthenex has the code, I would have posted it but was beaten to it.)

Answer 4

Why do you need to state both 'x' and 'y' before the ':'?

You could actually in some situations(when you have only one argument) do not put the x and y before ":".

>>> flist = []
>>> for i in range(3):
...     flist.append(lambda : i)

but the i in the lambda will be bound by name, so,

>>> flist[0]()
2
>>> flist[2]()
2
>>>

different from what you may want.