VB.NET Lambda Expressions

Create lambda expressions and pass them to other methods. Use the Function keyword.

Lambdas. A function is a data object. A lambda expression is used to specify a function. With lambda syntax, we pass Functions as arguments, creating complex behaviors.

Higher-order procedures are functions passed as arguments. Lambdas are higher-order procedures. For lambdas, the VB.NET language has a special syntax form.

Func, 1 argument. Here we see the first lambda expression. The local variable Func (func1) is assigned to a lambda that receives one Integer and returns an Integer.Func, Action, Predicate Integer

Tip: The lambda expressions are found after the equals sign and start with the Function or Sub keywords.

Info: A Function is a method that returns a value. In contrast a Sub returns no value.

VB.NET program that uses Func with 2 types Module Module1 Sub Main() ' Lambda expression that receives Integer, returns Integer. Dim func1 As Func(Of Integer, Integer) = Function(value As Integer) Return value + 1 End Function ' Use Func. Console.WriteLine(func1.Invoke(4)) End Sub End Module Output 5

Func, 2 arguments. This second example is similar to the first one, but a bit more complex. The lambda (func2) receives two Integers and also returns an Integer.

VB.NET program that uses Func with 3 types Module Module1 Sub Main() ' Lambda expression that receives two Integers, returns Integer. Dim func2 As Func(Of Integer, Integer, Integer) = Function(value As Integer, value2 As Integer) Return value * value2 End Function ' Use the function. Console.WriteLine(func2.Invoke(2, 3)) End Sub End Module Output 6

Func, simple syntax. Here we see the third lambda. This lambda (func3) uses the abbreviated syntax. Here we omit the type of the formal parameter and the End Function statement.

VB.NET program that uses short lambda syntax Module Module1 Sub Main() ' Lambda expression that receives Integer, returns String. ' ... Short syntax. Dim func3 As Func(Of Integer, String) = Function(x) (x + 1).ToString() ' Call the lambda. Console.WriteLine(func3.Invoke(3)) End Sub End Module Output 4

Action. An Action, like a Sub, returns no value. Here we see the final lambda. We see the full syntax for a Sub() lambda expression. We can use parameters or abbreviated syntax.Sub

VB.NET program that uses Sub lambda Module Module1 Sub Main() ' Lambda expression that returns void. Dim action1 As Action = Sub() Console.WriteLine("action1") End Sub ' Use Action instance. action1.Invoke() End Sub End Module Output action1

Sort. Often we sort collections with lambda expressions. The Array.Sort Function and List Sort require a Comparison method. This is a delegate type.Sort Sort List

Tip: With lambdas, we can pass a Function argument (a higher-order procedure) directly to these methods to sort collections.

However: We sort the Strings in the array by their lengths. We do this with a special lambda expression that uses CompareTo.

VB.NET program that sorts with lambda Function Module Module1 Sub Main() Dim items() As String = {"cat", "mouse", "lion"} ' Use lambda expression to specify Comparison for Array.Sort. Array.Sort(items, Function(a As String, b As String) Return a.Length.CompareTo(b.Length) End Function) ' Loop over sorted array. For Each item As String In items Console.WriteLine(item) Next End Sub End Module Output cat lion mouse

AddressOf. Lambda expression syntax is not always required. And sometimes it is clearer, and simpler, to use the AddressOf operator. We can reference a Function by name with AddressOf.AddressOf

And: We can use an AddressOf-based expression anywhere a lambda expression might be used.

FindIndex: Here I use FindIndex, part of the List class, with an AddressOf reference to an Odd() function.

VB.NET program that uses AddressOf Module Module1 Function Odd(ByVal value As Integer) As Boolean ' Return true if not even number. Return Not value Mod 2 = 0 End Function Sub Main() Dim values As List(Of Integer) = New List(Of Integer) values.Add(10) values.Add(13) values.Add(20) ' Find first odd number's index. Dim i As Integer = values.FindIndex(AddressOf Odd) Console.WriteLine(i) End Sub End Module Output 1

Concepts. There is no low-level difference between lambda expressions and regular Functions that are assigned with AddressOf. Lambda expressions thus are syntactic sugar.

Tip: They are a special syntax form in the VB.NET language. They allow us to write more concise, clearer programs.

List: Lambda expressions can be used as arguments to List methods (Sort, Find).

List Find, FindIndex

Lambda expressions are used throughout many new VB.NET programs. They are important for using a List's searching methods. They also help when sorting in nontrivial ways.

LINQ. Lambdas are also essential for many LINQ methods. Lambdas are useful for implementing delegates. They fill many important requirements.LINQ