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Lab Manual 4

The document provides an overview of functions in Python, including how to create, call, and use parameters within functions. It covers topics such as default parameter values, passing lists, return values, and recursion, with examples for each concept. Additionally, it includes exercises for students to practice their understanding of these topics.

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pajeg11558
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5 views4 pages

Lab Manual 4

The document provides an overview of functions in Python, including how to create, call, and use parameters within functions. It covers topics such as default parameter values, passing lists, return values, and recursion, with examples for each concept. Additionally, it includes exercises for students to practice their understanding of these topics.

Uploaded by

pajeg11558
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Artificial Intelligence

Department of Computer Science


University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

Class Learning Outcomes


Students will learn about
• Functions in Python

Function

A function is a block of code which only runs when it is called. You can pass data,
known as parameters, into a function. A function can return data as a result.

Creating a Function

In Python a function is defined using the def keyword:

Example

my_function(): print("Hello from a function")


Calling a Function

To call a function, use the function name followed by parenthesis:

Example

def my_function(): print("Hello from a function") my_function()

Parameters

Information can be passed to functions as parameter. Parameters are specified after


the function name, inside the parentheses. You can add as many parameters as you
want, just separate them with a comma.The following example has a function with
one parameter (fname). When the function is called, we pass along a first name,
which is used inside the function to print the full name:
Example

def my_function(fname): print(fname + " Refsnes")

my_function("Emil") my_function("Tobias")
my_function("Linus") Default Parameter
Value

The following example shows how to use a default parameter value. If we call the
function without parameter, it uses the default value:

Example

def my_function(country = "Norway"):


print("I am from " + country)

my_function("Sweden")
my_function("India") my_function()
my_function("Brazil")

Passing a List as a Parameter

You can send any data types of parameter to a function (string, number, list,
dictionary etc.), and it will be treated as the same data type inside the function. e.g.
if you send a List as a parameter, it will still be a List when it reaches the function:

Example

def my_function(food): for x in food:


print(x)

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]

my_function(fruits)

Return Values

To let a function return a value, use the return statement:


Example

def my_function(x):
return 5 * x

print(my_function(3)) print(my_function(5))
print(my_function(9))

Recursion

Python also accepts function recursion, which means a defined function can call
itself. Recursion is a common mathematical and programming concept. It means
that a function calls itself. This has the benefit of meaning that you can loop through
data to reach a result.

The developer should be very careful with recursion as it can be quite easy to slip
into writing a function which never terminates, or one that uses excess amounts of
memory or processor power. However, when written correctly recursion can be a
very efficient and mathematicallyelegant approach to programming.

In this example, tri_recursion() is a function that we have defined to call itself


("recurse"). We use the k variable as the data, which 1 decrements-) every time we
recurse. The recursion ends when the condition is not greater than 0 (i.e.
when it is 0).

To a new developer it can take some time to work out how exactly this works, best
way to find out is by testing and modifying it.
Example

Recursion Example

def tri_recursion(k):
if(k>0):
result = k+tri_recursion(k-1)
print(result)
else:
result = 0
return result

print("\n\nRecursion Example Results")


tri_recursion(6)
Exercise:

1. Write a Python function to find the Max of three numbers.


2. Write a Python program to reverse a string.
Sample String : "1234abcd"
Expected Output : "dcba4321"
3. Write a Python function to calculate the factorial of a number (a non-
negative integer). The function accepts the number as an argument.

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