Functions

Python Fundamentals PYTHNPROG_FUNCTIONS_300_EN

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Welcome to Functions.
 What you will learn

At the core of the lesson

You will learn how to:
• Explain the purpose of functions
• Name the different types of functions
• Use functions to organize Python code

In this module, you will learn how to:

• Explain the purpose of functions

• Name the different types of functions
• Use functions to organize Python code
 Functions

In Python, a function is a named sequence of

statements that belong together.
Their primary purpose is to help organize
programs into chunks that match how you
think about the solution to the problem.

First, define the function. Name it and put Example:

placeholders for arguments. Indent lines of def <function name>(argument):
code inside the function, like code in loops. <things to do>

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 Functions, continued

Functions are used when you Built-in functions (like print)

must use the same block of Python has many built-in
are part of a programming
code several times. functions that solve many
language, or developers can
Reusability is the primary common problems for you.
create new functions.
reason for functions.

Examples:
• print()
• open()
• sum()
• dict()
• and others

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 Types of functions

Takes argument or
No argument taken,
arguments,
no return given
no return given
Types of Python
functions
Takes argument or
No argument taken,
arguments,
returns something
returns something
(fruitful)
(fruitful)

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 Example function 1
• What is the identifier (name of this function)?
• What is the argument?
• What is it returning?
• Is this function fruitful or non-fruitful?

On the print line, multiple things are happening:

• The function demo is being called. Functions do not
run until you call them.
• The print function is also being called, and it uses
demo as the argument for print(). It can be helpful
to call a function with another function.

• What output do you expect to be printed?

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 Example function 2
• Is this function fruitful or non-fruitful?
• When you run this function, what do you expect to
happen?
• What might be some of the advantages of using an
argument in a function?

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 Organizing code with functions

Organizing code with functions makes it easier to

read.
Example:
• It can be difficult to interpret what the first
line of code does.
• Using an appropriately named function that
takes appropriately named arguments makes
the code easier to interpret and use.

The input function prompts a message and waits for the user to enter a value ( 5 in
this example )
This value is converted into an integer by the int(…) function and stored in the
variable r
The function calculate_area_circle is called with r as a parameter. It returns the area
of a circle for a radius of value r
The value returned by calculate_area_circle is stored in the variable area
The print function displays the value of the variable area in the console
 1. Write a simple function.
Demonstration: Use
2. Run a sample program.
Functions to Organize and 3. Review the results.
Reuse Code 4. Define and use functions without arguments.
5. Define and use functions with arguments.
6. Compare outputs.

Sample code:
Items 1, 2, 3, & 4
def greet_user():
print("Hello there!")

greet_user()

Item 5
def greet_user(name):
print("Hello " + name)

greet_user("Sam")
 Checkpoint questions

What are arguments?

True or False: All functions must return a value.

How do you call a function?

Why do you use functions?

Name one built-in function in Python.

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Answers:
1. Function arguments enable developers to pass values to a function. For example,
a function that is called setColor could include a string for the color that is being
passed. Such a call would appear as setColor(“red”).
2. False.
3. You use the name of the function and then its argument in parentheses (which
might be empty). For example: setColor(“red”), clearScreen()
4. Functions enable developers to use the same code many times without retyping
the statements.
5. One of the most commonly used built-in functions is print.
 • Functions are used when you must perform the same
Key takeaways task multiple times in a program.
• Functions are called by name and the function call
often includes arguments that the function code
needs for processing.
• Python includes many built-in functions, such as
print and help.

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Some key takeaways from this lesson include:

• Functions are used when you must perform the same task multiple times in a
program.

• Functions are called by name and often include arguments that the code in the
function needs for processing.

• Python includes many built-in functions such as print and help.