Examples of anonymous functions
Open-knowledge reference entry

In computer programming, an anonymous function (function literal, lambda function, or block) is a function definition that is not bound to an identifier. Anonymous functions are often arguments being passed to higher-order functions or used for constructing the result of a higher-order function that needs to return a function.
If the function is only used once, or a limited number of times, an anonymous function may be syntactically lighter than using a named function. Anonymous functions are ubiquitous in functional programming languages and other languages with first-class functions, where they fulfil the same role for the function type as literals do for other data types.
Anonymous functions originate in the work of Alonzo Church in his invention of the lambda calculus, in which all functions are anonymous, in 1936, before electronic computers. In several programming languages, anonymous functions are introduced using the keyword lambda, and anonymous functions are often referred to as lambdas or lambda abstractions. Anonymous functions have been a feature of programming languages since Lisp in 1958, and a growing number of modern programming languages support anonymous functions. (Full article...)
Examples of anonymous functions
Numerous languages support anonymous functions, or something similar.
APL
Only some dialects support anonymous functions, either as dfns, in the tacit style or a combination of both.
C (non-standard extension)
The anonymous function is not supported by standard C programming language, but supported by some C dialects, such as GCC and Clang.
“Examples of anonymous functions” enters the record as open-knowledge reference entry. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Examples, anonymous and functions can confirm, complicate or overturn.
Why this record matters
“Examples of anonymous functions” is worth following because a concise public description often conceals a longer documentary argument. Here, Examples, anonymous and functions provides the most credible route into that argument.
Named sources, stable identifiers and responsible institutions provide the strongest route from overview to verifiable evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 14, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q130783807. The first chronological checks are 1936 and 1958.
The absence of detail may reflect summary conventions rather than a lack of surviving documentation. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Examples of anonymous functions”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Examples of anonymous functions primary sources, Examples of anonymous functions archive and Examples research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Examples of anonymous functions”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- Which institution is responsible for the underlying evidence?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Examples of anonymous functions” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.