Python lambda functions are small, anonymous functions defined using the lambda keyword. They are often used for short, throwaway functions that are simple enough to be defined in a single line.
A lambda function can take any number of arguments but has only one expression, which is evaluated and returned.
The syntax for a lambda function is:
lambda arguments: expression
For example:
add = lambda x, y: x + y
print(add(2, 3)) # Output: 5
Lambda functions are commonly used with functions like map(), filter(), and sorted() where a quick function definition is needed.
They are useful for concise code, especially in cases where defining a full function would be overkill. However, they are limited in readability and functionality compared to regular functions, as they can only contain a single expression and no statements.