what's wrong with "lambda x : print x/60,x%60"

[bruno at modulix]

Gary Herron wrote:
> Mohammad Jeffry wrote:
> 
>> Dear All,
>>
>> Can't a lambda uses the input parameter more then once in the lambda
>> body?
>> eg:
>> lambda x : print x/60,x%60
>>
>> I tried with def and it works but got syntax error with lambda. Below
>> is an interactive sample:
> 
> 
> Lambda evaluates a single *expression* and returns the result.  As print
> is a statement it does not qualify (and would provide nothing to return
> even if it did).  So just use a def. 

or use sys.stdout.write in your lambda:
import sys
lambda x : sys.stdout.write("%d %d\n" % (x/60, x%60))

> It is constantly pointed out on
> this list that the lambda provides no extra expressive power, 

They do, when one need a very trivial callable for callbacks - which is
probably the main (if not the only) use case.

> it is
> merely a shortcut and, as you just found out, a rather restrictive one
> at that.

Of course.


-- 
bruno desthuilliers
python -c "print '@'.join(['.'.join([w[::-1] for w in p.split('.')]) for
p in 'onurb at xiludom.gro'.split('@')])"