[Tutor] Lambda?? Whaaaaat?

[Alan Gauld]

On 31/08/12 05:43, Steven D'Aprano wrote:

> Where does the name come from? Lambda is the Greek letter L,
> and for reasons I don't know, it is the traditional name used
> for functions in some of the more abstract areas of computer
> science.

More specifically it is the name of a branch of mathematics called 
Lambda Calculus which is the theoretical underpinning of a lot of 
computer science. It predates the study of computing (in the modern 
mechanised sense) in the same way as Boolean logic predates modern 
computing, but both are essential theoretical building blocks.

Python's lambda feature is therefore useful in formal teaching 
scenarios, which was an important aspect of Python as originally 
perceived. Python grew out of several other teaching languages and a lot 
of the early features were explicitly added to assist in teaching 
computing theory to students.

Google Lambda Calculus for more but be prepared to have your mind 
boggled. It's not an intuitive branch of math!

-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/