CMSC 11

Unit 2:
Functions
Function
named sequence of statements that performs a
computation
it is defined by specifying the name and the
sequence of statements
Example:
>>> type(32)
<class ‘int’>
Format of calling a Function
name_of_function(argument)
A function “takes” an argument and “returns”
a result called the return value
An argument is an expression that appears
between the parentheses of a function call
Function Example

int() function
- converts values
into integers

- throws an error if it
cannot convert value
to integer
Function Example
int() function always
rounds down
Why Functions?
Creating a new function gives you an opportunity
to name a group of statements, which makes
your program easier to read and debug

Functions can make a program smaller by

eliminating repetitive code
Why Functions?
Dividing a long program into functions allows
you to debug the parts one at a time and then
assemble them into a working whole

Well designed functions are often useful for

many programs. Once you write and debug
one, you can reuse it
Type Conversion Functions
int(x) : takes an argument x and converts it into an integer
Type Conversion Functions
float(x) : takes an argument x and converts it into a float
Type Conversion Functions
str(x) : takes an argument x and converts it into
a string
Module
package

is a file that contains a module

collection of related
functions classes
functions
specific task variables objects
the module object contains
the functions and variables variables

defined in the module

Module
Before using the functions in the module,
we first use the import statement to create
the module object

Example:
>>> import math
Module
After creating the module object, you can
access any of its functions or variables by
using this general format:
module_name.function_name()
module_name.variable
this is called the dot notation
Math Module
built-in python module that contains usual
mathematical formulas and values

>>> import math >>> from math import sqrt

>>> math.sqrt(9) >>> sqrt(9)
>>> 3.0 >>> 3.0
Math Module
some
math
library
functions
 Composition
how variables, expressions, and statements are
combined
ability of programming languages where small
building blocks are taken and composed together

Example: argument of a function can be any kind of expression

>>> x = math.sin(45/360.0 * 2 * math.pi)
Composition
You can put an arbitrary expression anywhere except:
the left side of an assignment statement (has to be
a variable name).
any other expression on the left side is a syntax
error.
Example:
Create your own functions
A function definition
specifies the name of a new function and
the sequence of statements that execute
when the function is called
Function definition
General format: name of the function that
will be used to call it by

def function_name(parameter):
body_of_code the expected
keyword that arguments that
indicates that it will take. Can
this is a composition of codes that the be empty
function function will do when called
definition
Example

Function name?
Parameter?
Body?
Example
You can return
values in a
function.

Keep the return

value in a variable
Rules for function names
Letters, numbers, and underscore are legal,
but first character cannot be a number
Keywords should not be used as the name of a
function
Avoid having a variable and a function sharing
the same name
Flow of Execution
Execution always begins at the first statement of the
program.
Statements are executed one at a time, in order from
top to bottom.
Function definitions do not alter the flow of the
program, but statements inside the function are not
executed until the function is called.
Flow of Execution
A function call is like a detour in def print_lyrics():
print(’Baby Baby Baby’)
the flow of execution. Instead of
print(’Nooooo’)
going to the next statement, the
flow jumps to the body of the def repeat_lyrics():
function, runs the statements print_lyrics()
there, and then comes back to print_lyrics()

pick up where it left off.

repeat_lyrics()
Guess the Flow of Execution
name = “Maria”
sentence = “ is going to the ball“
result = name + sentence
print(result)
Guess the Flow of Execution
name = “Maria”
sentence = “ is going to the ball“
result = name + sentence
print(result)
Recall Format of calling a Function:

name_of_function(argument)
 Recall general format of a function
(with definition): name of the function that
will be used to call it by

def function_name(parameter):
body_of_function
keyword that the expected
indicates that this arguments that it
is a function composition of codes that the will take. Can be
definition function will do when called empty
Parameter and Arguments
Parameter
a variable in a function definition
a placeholder
does not have a concrete value
Argument
value passed when a function is called
Parameter and Arguments
def print_cat_name(cat):
sentence = “My cat’s name is”
print(sentence, cat)
What is the parameter?

food = ‘Mochi’
best_boy = ‘Shrek’ What are the arguments?
print_cat_name(food)
print_cat_name(best_boy)
Parameter and Arguments
Output:
Function parameters and variables
are local.
- meaning they only exist and are accessible
inside of the function definition
The variable sentence cannot be used
outside of the function print_cat_name()
another variable named also as sentence has been
defined outside the print_cat_name() function
Stack Diagrams
used to keep track of which variables can be used
where
show the value of each variable, but they also show
the function each variable belongs to
each function is represented by a frame
a box with the name of a function beside it and the
parameter and variables of the function inside it.
frames are arranged in a stack that indicates which
function called which,and so on.
Stack Diagrams

Stack Diagram
Code
Stack Diagrams
if an error occurs during a function call, Python
prints the names of all the functions involved
this is called a traceback
Fruitful and Void Functions
Fruitful Functions are functions that return results
example is the math function
return value will cease to exist if it is not assigned
to a variable
Void Function are functions that perform an action but
don’t return a value
example is the print_lyrics() functions
if assigned to a variable, that variable will hold the
special value None
Fruitful or Void function?
Fruitful or Void function?

Void

it does not return

a result/value
Fruitful or Void function?
Fruitful or Void function?

Fruitful

it returns a value
Summary
We’ve learned what a function is, how to
make our own, and how to use them
intuitively.
Exercises
Please do these online exercises during your
own time. No submission needed.

https://holypython.com/beginner-python-exercises

1 (print() function) to 4 (type conversion) only.

Reminders
Quiz for units 1 and 2.
Next Meeting

Unit 3: Conditionals and Recursions