pass-function-as-arg
When to Use
- •Algorithm should work with different implementations
- •Strategy pattern: same algorithm, different strategies
- •Callbacks for event handling
- •Sorting/filtering with custom criteria
- •Higher-order functions (map, filter, reduce)
When NOT to Use
- •Only one implementation needed
- •Function parameter adds complexity without benefit
- •Object-oriented approach is clearer
The Pattern
Accept a function as a parameter to customize behavior.
python
def generic_algorithm(data, key=lambda x: x, filter_fn=lambda x: True):
"""Process data with customizable key and filter."""
filtered = [x for x in data if filter_fn(x)]
return sorted(filtered, key=key)
# Use with different strategies
result1 = generic_algorithm(items, key=lambda x: x.priority)
result2 = generic_algorithm(items, key=lambda x: -x.size, filter_fn=lambda x: x.active)
Example (from pytudes)
python
# Hill climbing with configurable objective (ngrams.py)
def hillclimb(x, objective_fn, neighbors_fn, steps=10000):
"""Search for x that maximizes objective_fn, using neighbors_fn to explore."""
best = x
best_score = objective_fn(x)
for _ in range(steps):
for neighbor in neighbors_fn(best):
score = neighbor_score = objective_fn(neighbor)
if score > best_score:
best, best_score = neighbor, score
break
return best
# Use with specific objective and neighbor functions
decoded = hillclimb(initial_guess,
objective_fn=log_probability,
neighbors_fn=swap_adjacent_chars)
# Priority queue with custom key (AdventUtils.ipynb)
class PriorityQueue:
def __init__(self, items=(), key=lambda x: x):
self.key = key
self.items = []
for item in items:
self.add(item)
def add(self, item):
heapq.heappush(self.items, (self.key(item), item))
# A* search with custom heuristic
frontier = PriorityQueue(initial_nodes, key=lambda n: n.cost + h(n))
# Tree generation with configurable pop strategy (Maze.ipynb)
def random_tree(nodes, neighbors, pop=deque.pop):
"""Pop strategy determines tree shape."""
...
current = pop(frontier) # DFS, BFS, or random based on pop function
Key Principles
- •Functions are values: Pass them like any other argument
- •Default identity:
key=lambda x: xas sensible default - •Name the role:
objective_fn,neighbors_fn,key - •Keep signatures simple: Callback should match expected interface
- •Document expected signature: What arguments, what return type?