What are lambda functions and how are they used in data science?

What are lambda functions and how are they used in data science?

Lambda functions are small anonymous functions defined with the keyword 'lambda'. In data science, they are often used for data manipulation and transformation, especially with libraries like Pandas.

Can you give me an example of a lambda function in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example: lambda x: x * 2 is a lambda function that takes an input x and returns its double. You can use it with the map function to apply it to a list.

How do lambda functions compare to regular functions?

Lambda functions are syntactically simpler and can be defined in a single line, while regular functions are defined using the def keyword and can include multiple expressions.

What are some common use cases for lambda functions in data science?

Common use cases include filtering data, applying transformations, and using them as arguments in functions like map(), filter(), and reduce().