[ < ] [ > ]   [ << ] [ Up ] [ >> ]         [Top] [Contents] [Index] [ ? ]

12.2 Lambda Expressions

A function written in Lisp is a list that looks like this:

 
(lambda (arg-variables...)
  [documentation-string]
  [interactive-declaration]
  body-forms...)

Such a list is called a lambda expression. In Emacs Lisp, it actually is valid as an expression--it evaluates to itself. In some other Lisp dialects, a lambda expression is not a valid expression at all. In either case, its main use is not to be evaluated as an expression, but to be called as a function.

12.2.1 Components of a Lambda Expression  The parts of a lambda expression.
12.2.2 A Simple Lambda-Expression Example  A simple example.
12.2.3 Other Features of Argument Lists  Details and special features of argument lists.
12.2.4 Documentation Strings of Functions  How to put documentation in a function.



This document was generated on May 2, 2002 using texi2html