Anonymous function facts for kids
An anonymous function is a special kind of function in computer science and mathematics that doesn't have a name. Think of it like a quick, one-time instruction you give, instead of a full recipe you'd name and save.
Normally, when you write a function in programming, you give it a name, like `add_numbers` or `calculate_area`. But sometimes, you only need a function for a very short time, or you want to pass it directly to another part of your program without giving it a formal name. That's where anonymous functions come in handy!
What is an Anonymous Function?
An anonymous function is a piece of code that does a specific job, just like a regular function, but it isn't given a name. It's often used when you need a small function for a quick task and don't plan to use it again later.
Imagine you have a list of numbers, and you want to quickly double each one. You could write a named function to do this, but an anonymous function lets you do it on the spot.
How Do They Work?
Anonymous functions are often used in programming languages where functions can be treated like values. This means you can pass a function around, store it in a variable, or use it as an input to another function, just like you would with a number or a piece of text.
Let's look at a simple idea of how they work, using a common example: multiplying two numbers.
In many programming languages, you can write a function that multiplies two numbers, say `x` and `y`.
- Named function idea:
* You might say: "Let's make a function called `multiply_them` that takes `x` and `y` and gives back `x` times `y`." * Then you could use it like: `multiply_them(3, 4)` which would give `12`.
- Anonymous function idea:
* Instead, you might just say: "Here's a function that takes `x` and `y` and gives back `x` times `y`." You don't give it a name. * You might use it immediately, like: `(function that takes x and y and gives x*y)(3, 4)` which also gives `12`.
Many programming languages, like Python, JavaScript, and Haskell, have ways to write these nameless functions. They are very useful for making code shorter and sometimes easier to understand when you have simple, one-time tasks.
See also
In Spanish: Expresión lambda para niños
