Lambda functions enable the use of more complex and flexible expressions in queries. DuckDB supports several scalar functions that accept lambda functions as parameters in the form (parameter1, parameter2, ...) -> expression. If the lambda function has only one parameter, then the parentheses can be omitted. The parameters can have any names. For example, the following are all valid lambda functions:

• param -> param > 1
• s -> contains(concat(s, 'DB'), 'duck')
• (x, y) -> x + y

Scalar Functions That Accept Lambda Functions

list_transform(list, lambda)

`list_filter(list, lambda)

list_reduce(list, lambda)

Nesting

All scalar functions can be arbitrarily nested.

Nested lambda functions to get all squares of even list elements:

SELECT list_transform(
        list_filter([0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5], x -> x % 2 = 0),
        y -> y * y
    );

[0, 4, 16]

Nested lambda function to add each element of the first list to the sum of the second list:

SELECT list_transform(
        [1, 2, 3],
        x -> list_reduce([4, 5, 6], (a, b) -> a + b) + x
    );

[16, 17, 18]

Scoping

Lambda functions confirm to scoping rules in the following order:

• inner lambda parameters
• outer lambda parameters
• column names
• macro parameters

CREATE TABLE tbl (x INTEGER);
INSERT INTO tbl VALUES (10);
SELECT apply([1, 2], x -> apply([4], x -> x + tbl.x)[1] + x) FROM tbl;

[15, 16]

Indexes as Parameters

All lambda functions accept an optional extra parameter that represents the index of the current element. This is always the last parameter of the lambda function, and is 1-based (i.e., the first element has index 1).

Get all elements that are larger than their index:

SELECT list_filter([1, 3, 1, 5], (x, i) -> x > i);

[3, 5]

Transform

Signature: list_transform(list, lambda)

Description:
list_transform returns a list that is the result of applying the lambda function to each element of the input list.

Aliases:

• array_transform
• apply
• list_apply
• array_apply

Number of parameters excluding indexes: 1

Return type: Defined by the return type of the lambda function

Examples:
Incrementing each list element by one:

SELECT list_transform([1, 2, NULL, 3], x -> x + 1);

[2, 3, NULL, 4]

Transforming strings:

SELECT list_transform(['duck', 'a', 'b'], s -> concat(s, 'DB'));

[duckDB, aDB, bDB]

Combining lambda functions with other functions:

SELECT list_transform([5, NULL, 6], x -> coalesce(x, 0) + 1);

[6, 1, 7]

Filter

Signature: list_filter(list, lambda)

Description:
Constructs a list from those elements of the input list for which the lambda function returns true. DuckDB must be able to cast the lambda function’s return type to BOOL.

Aliases:

• array_filter
• filter

Number of parameters excluding indexes: 1

Return type: The same type as the input list

Examples:
Filter out negative values:

SELECT list_filter([5, -6, NULL, 7], x -> x > 0);

[5, 7]

Divisible by 2 and 5:

SELECT list_filter(list_filter([2, 4, 3, 1, 20, 10, 3, 30], x -> x % 2 == 0), y -> y % 5 == 0);

[20, 10, 30]

In combination with range(...) to construct lists:

SELECT list_filter([1, 2, 3, 4], x -> x > #1) FROM range(4);

[1, 2, 3, 4]
[2, 3, 4]
[3, 4]
[4]
[]

Reduce

Signature: list_reduce(list, lambda)

Description:
The scalar function returns a single value that is the result of applying the lambda function to each element of the input list. Starting with the first element and then repeatedly applying the lambda function to the result of the previous application and the next element of the list. The list must have at least one element.

Aliases:

• array_reduce
• reduce

Number of parameters excluding indexes: 2

Return type: The type of the input list’s elements

Examples:
Sum of all list elements:

SELECT list_reduce([1, 2, 3, 4], (x, y) -> x + y);

10

Only add up list elements if they are greater than 2:

SELECT list_reduce(list_filter([1, 2, 3, 4], x -> x > 2), (x, y) -> x + y);

7

Concat all list elements:

SELECT list_reduce(['DuckDB', 'is', 'awesome'], (x, y) -> concat(x, ' ', y));

DuckDB is awesome