lesson2.md

Week 11 Lesson 2

Functional Programming in Python

In this lesson, you will learn how to apply functional programming within Python. First you will learn about employing the map, filter, and reduce methods. Second, you will learn about lambda functions, which are small, anonymous functions, that can simplify many functional programming tasks. Note that many of the readings use Python2, so keep that in mind when trying these concepts out in Python3 (for example, use the print function, not the print statement, and the reduce function is now in the itertools module).

###Objectives ### By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand the map function and how to use it effectively.
• Understand the filter function and how to use it effectively.
• Understand the reduce function and how to use it effectively.
• Understand lambda functions and how to use them for functional programming.

Time Estimate

Approximately 2 hours.

Readings

• Functional programming in Python2.

• Lambda functions in Python.

Optional Additional Readings####

• Functional Programming in Python article (don't worry yet about comprehensions).

• Old article on Functional Programming in Python Part 1 and Part 2. Note that are using Python2.

Assessment

When you have completed and worked through the above readings, please take the Week 11 Lesson 2 Assessment.