Python map() with Multiple Arguments

You are currently viewing Python map() with Multiple Arguments

How to pass multiple iterable as arguments to a python map? You can use python map() with multiple iterable arguments by creating a function with multiple arguments and using it on map() with multiple iterables. The map() function in Python is used to apply the transformation to an iterable object like a list, tuple, or set, etc. whereas A Python lambda function is a small anonymous function that is mainly used in combination with the functions filter(), map(), and reduce(). lambdas can also take any number of arguments.

Advertisements

In this article, I will explain how to use python by passing multiple arguments with examples.

1. Syntax of map() with Multiple Iterable Arguments

Below is an example of map() function that can take one or multiple iterable arguments in Python.


# Syntax of map() function
map(function, iterable, [iterable1, iterable2, ...])

2. map() Function Using Multiple Arguments

Here, I will use multiple (two) iterators as arguments to the Python map() function. First, create addtion(x,y) that takes two arguments x and y and return value by adding these two. Use this function on map() function along with two iterable as arguments.


# Create function that takes two arguments
def addition(x,y):
    return x + y

# Create lists
numbers1 = [2, 4, 6, 8, 5]
numbers2 = [3, 2, 1, 1, 4]
print("Numbers1: ",numbers1)
print("Numbers2: ",numbers2)

# Using map() with two iterables
addition_numbers = map(addition, numbers1, numbers2)
result = list(addition_numbers)
print("Result:",result)

Yields below output.

python map multiple arguments

When the map() function is called with addition() function and numbers1 and numbers2 as arguments, it applies the addition() function to each element from the two arguments and returns an iterator object.

3. Use Multiple Arguments with map() & Lambda

Let’s use the same above example with the map() & lambda function by using multiple iterable arguments. When you use lambda, you don’t have to create a function addition() instead you use the definition within the lambda itself as an expression.


# Use map() function & lambda with multiple arguments
numbers1 = [2, 4, 6, 8, 5]
numbers2 = [1, 3, 5, 7, 4]
addition_numbers = map(lambda x, y: x + y, numbers1, numbers2)
print(list(addition_numbers))

# Output:
# [3, 7, 11, 15, 9]

Here, the python map() function takes multiple iterable arguments as inputs and applies the lambda function to the corresponding elements of each input iterable. In this case, the first element of input iterables is passed as the first argument to the lambda function, and the second element of input iterable is passed as the second argument. The lambda function here sums up the two arguments passed to it and returns the result, so the elements of the numbers1 and numbers2 are being added.

Frequently Asked Questions on Python map() with Multiple Arguments

What is the map() function in Python?

The map() function is a built-in function in Python that applies a specified function to all items in an iterable (e.g., a list, tuple, or string) and returns an iterator that produces the results. It takes two or more arguments: the function to apply and one or more iterables.

How does map() work with multiple arguments?

When using map() with multiple arguments, you provide multiple iterables, and the corresponding elements from each iterable are passed as arguments to the specified function. The function should have as many parameters as there are iterables.

Can you provide an example of using map() with multiple arguments?

Using map() with multiple arguments, For instance, he add function takes three arguments, and we have three lists (list_x, list_y, and list_z). The map() function applies the add function to each set of corresponding elements from the lists.

Can I use map() with a lambda function and multiple iterables?

You can use map() with a lambda function and multiple iterables. For example, the lambda function takes three arguments (x, y, and z) and calculates their sum. The map() function applies this lambda function to each set of corresponding elements from the lists list_x, list_y, and list_z.

Can map() handle functions with different numbers of parameters?

map() requires that the function and the iterables have a consistent number of elements. Each element in the iterables is passed as an argument to the function, so the function must be able to accept that number of arguments.

Are there alternatives to using map() with multiple arguments?

You can achieve similar results using list comprehensions or other functional programming constructs in Python. However, map() provides a concise way to apply a function to multiple iterables. Choose the method that best fits your coding style and requirements.

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned to use Python map() with multiple iterable arguments. First, we have seen using multiple arguments on the map() function and later learned to use it with both lambda & map.

Tags: