What is the difference between functors and lambdas in Python?

What is the difference between functors and lambdas in Python?

In Python, a functor is an object that can be called as if it were a function, while a lambda is an anonymous function defined with the lambda keyword.

Can you give me an example of a functor?

Sure! A functor can be a class that implements the __call__ method. For example:

class Functor:
    def __call__(self, x):
        return x * 2

f = Functor()
print(f(5))  # Output: 10

And how do lambdas work in Python?

Lambdas are used to create small anonymous functions. For example:

add = lambda x, y: x + y
print(add(3, 5))  # Output: 8

When should I use a functor instead of a lambda?

Use functors when you need to maintain state or have more complex behavior, while lambdas are great for simple, one-off functions.