8/12/2020

Seminar 4:
Function

Function
• Function is a set of codes which can be
repeatable when the function name is
called.
• We can use functions which were written
by others.
• Or, we can make the functions
ourselves and use it.
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1. Using functions
• Know the name of function and call it within your
program.
• Python has a standard library that comes with
Built-in functions. That means, you can use those
functions readily.
• See: https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html
• Basic functions: print(), input()
• Mathematical functions: abs(), max(), min(), sum(),
round(), pow(), len()
• Type conversion functions: int(), float(), str(), list()
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1. Using functions
• Mathematical functions: abs(), max(), min(), sum(), round(), pow(),
len()
• Example 1:
• We first create a variable x with multiple number -> list. (List starts with square
bracket followed by a series of comma separated numbers and close with closing
square bracket)
• With the list of number, we pass that information into a function called min(x) to
get the minimum number among that list of number. This passing of information
to function is called input argument.
• The min() function will then return us a final number which is the smallest
among the list
• See https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#min
Iterable = variable which contains > 1 items, e.g. list, string, or tuple.

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2. Making Function

Function
Input (provide data (differentiate itself by
unique name) Output (return data from
to function) function to caller)

2. Making Function -> Define

• Function is a group of statements.
• To perform a single task.
• Two parts to a function: define and usage
• Define:
def function_name():
body
• Usage:
function_name()
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Function Definition
• See 3 examples on the right on how to
define your own functions.
• First example is get_revenue() function
with 2 lines as body. Body needs to be
indented to denote it is inside the function.
It doesn’t have input argument. So we
can call it just by the name without
anything within the parenthesis.
• Second example get_input(message)
comes with one input argument,
message. This is a variable to store data
from anyone who call this function and
pass in value. This variable can be used
within the function like any other variable.
Line 6 uses the message variable to make
a message prompt.
• Third example get_values(message,
number) is similar to second example,
with to hold 2 different values. 2 input
arguments
• You can extend this concept to make more
input arguments to be passed into
functions. The purpose of input arguments
is to provide values not existing in
functions.

Using functions
• Use your own functions the same way as
how you use other functions, call it by
name.

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Functions
• Function is designed to encourage code
reuse.
• One single function designed, can be reused
any number of times.
• Function organizes and hides the
complexity of codes.
• Caller only needs to call by name, fill in the
value(s) to satisfy input arguments.
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Variable scopes
• Variable scope can be local or global
– Variable which can only be used or accessed
within the function has local scope
– Variable which can be used anywhere in the
program has global scope
• Variables in function are meant to be used
and discarded automatically immediately
after. Those variables will not be accessible
in any other function or main program.
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Parsing of variables
• If a variable is needed by another function,
it should parsed as return and input
through main program.

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Naming Convention
• Variable names, function names should be all
lower case
– Eg. budget, revenue
• If more than one word is required to describe the
variable well, use underscore
– Eg. return_on_investment or roi
• Names must be meaningful
– Eg. ipc versus income_per_capita
• Capital letter is reserved for constant
– Eg. PI = 3.1416
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Program design
• Variable for storing value -> noun
– Storing value that is likely to be used
subsequently
• Function for performing a task -> verb
– Put repetitive tasks to functions
• Flow of program is control by main
function
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Example of Program Design

Problem:
Write a program that asks the user to enter
their name and their age. Your program will
then compute the year user will turn 55. Your
program will then print out a message
addressed to them that tells user the year to
withdraw their CPF savings (the year when
they turn 55 years old).

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Example of Program Design

Step 1:
Pick up noun and tasks to do.
• Variable for storing value -> noun
– Storing value that is likely to be used
subsequently
• Function for performing a task -> verb
– Put repetitive tasks to functions

Example of Program Design

Step 1:
Pick up noun and tasks to do.

Write a program that asks the user to enter their name

and their age. Your program will then compute the year
user will turn 55. Your program will then print out a
message addressed to them that tells user the year to
withdraw their CPF savings (the year when they turn 55
years old).

Nouns: name, age, year

Tasks to do: enter, compute, print out

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Example of Program Design

Step 2:
Define variables for nouns

Write a program that asks the user to enter their name and their
age. Your program will then compute the year user will turn 55.
Your program will then print out a message addressed to them
that tells user the year to withdraw their CPF savings (the year
when they turn 55 years old).

name = _______
age = _________
year = _________

Example of Program Design

Step 3:
Call / make the relevant functions for tasks to do.

Write a program that asks the user to enter their name and their age. Your
program will then compute the year user will turn 55. Your program will then
print out a message addressed to them that tells user the year to withdraw
their CPF savings (the year when they turn 55 years old).

name = _______
age = _________
year = _________

enter  input()
compute  + - * /
print out  print()

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Example of Program Design

Step 4:
Link up variables and tasks to do.

Write a program that asks the user to enter their name and their
age. Your program will then compute the year user will turn 55.
Your program will then print out a message addressed to them
that tells user the year to withdraw their CPF savings (the year
when they turn 55 years old).

name = input(“Enter your name:”)

age = int(input(“Enter your age”))
year = 2020 - age + 55 # assuming current year is 2020
print(“You will turn 55 in year ”, year)

Example of Program Design

Step 5:
If this program is to be repeated -> make a new function
(calculate_cpf_yr).

Write a program that asks the user to enter their name and their age.
Your program will then compute the year user will turn 55. Your
program will then print out a message addressed to them that tells
user the year to withdraw their CPF savings (the year when they turn
55 years old).

def calculate_cpf_yr():
name = input(“Enter your name:”)
age = int(input(“Enter your age”))
year = 2020 - age + 55 # assuming current year is 2020
print(“You will turn 55 in year ”, year)

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