Why is lambda instead of function defintion shorthand considered good style in scheme?

Question

In scheme, why is this:

(define foo
  (lambda (x)
    42))

considered better style than this:

(define (foo x)
  42)

And is there any reason to favour one over the other?

Answer 1

I don't think that's considered better style, the first is redundant. The real question is whether you define the named function foo or just use lambda instead. If you've already decided to make a named function foo then I don't see why you would put the lambda inside. lambda relieves you of having to separately name and define every little function you make, so that's really where the decision is: is this function important enough to be defined and named separately.