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Functions, Tuples,
Dictionaries, Exceptions,
Data Processing
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Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Create, use, and call your own functions.
• Learn about parameterless and parameterized functions
• Learn the return expression and the None value.
• Learn about scopes in Python and the global keyword.
• Analyze some multi-parameter functions
• Learn about sequence types and the concept of mutability.
• Learn about tuples and dictionaries.
• Know how to prevent program termination.
• Know tips on testing and debugging codes.
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Functions
• A function is a block of code
that performs a specific task
when the function is called
(invoked).
• You can use functions to make
your code reusable, better
organized, and more readable.
• Functions can have parameters
and return values.
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Four Basic Types of

Functions
• Built-in Functions:
These are provided by Python and are available without any
need for importing modules.
Examples: print(), len(), int(), and input().

• Pre-installed Module Functions:

Python also comes with many pre-installed modules, each
containing various useful functions.
Example: the math module has functions like sqrt() and
factorial().
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Four Basic Types of

Functions
• User-defined Functions:
These are functions created by programmers for specific tasks.
They help in organizing code, making it reusable and
maintainable.

• Lambda Functions:
These are small, anonymous functions defined using the
lambda keyword. They are often used for short, simple
operations, especially when a full function definition is
unnecessary.
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Defining a Function
• You can define your own function using the def
keyword and the following syntax:

def your_function(optional parameters):

# the body of the function
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Examples of Defining a
Function
• define a function which doesn't take any arguments

• define a function which takes arguments

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Parameter Function
• parameters exist only inside functions in which they
have been defined, and the only place where the
parameter can be defined is a space between a pair of
parentheses in the def statement

• assigning a value to the parameter is done at the time of

the function's invocation, by specifying the
corresponding argument.
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Parameter Function

One Two
Parameter Parameter

Three
Parameters
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• positional argument passing: the order of arguments passed
matters
Example:

• keyword (named) argument passing: the order of arguments

passed doesn't matter
Example:
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• a mix of positional and keyword argument passing
Example:

• keyword argument-passing technique: used to pre-define a value

Example:
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The return Instruction

• It is used inside a function to send the function's result
back to the caller.

• Once a return statement is encountered, the function

terminates, and the specified value or expression is
returned.
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None in Python
• It is commonly used to signal that a variable has no
value or a function doesn't return anything.
• There are only two kinds of circumstances when None
can be safely used:
− when you assign it to a variable (or return it as a function's
result)
− when you compare it with a variable to diagnose its internal
state.
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Lists and functions

• List can be passed as an argument to a function. The
function can then operate on the list as needed.
Example:

Results:
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Functions and Scopes in

Python

• Scope refers to the part of the code where a

variable or function name is accessible.
• Variables defined inside a function are local and
can't be accessed from outside.
• Global variables can be accessed inside functions
unless shadowed by a local variable of the same
name.
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The global
keyword
• The global keyword allows a
function to modify a variable
that is defined outside of its
local scope, essentially
extending the variable's scope
to include the function.
• Without global, any assignment
inside a function creates a local
variable with the same name,
leaving the global variable
unchanged.
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Creating multi-parameter
functions
Evaluating the BMI
• BMI(Body Mass Index): Measures body weight in relation to height.
• convert imperial units to metric ones.
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Creating multi-
parameter functions

• Triangles: Validating
Triangle Sides
-Check if three sides can
form a triangle.
-The sum of any two
sides must be greater
than the third side.
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Creating multi-parameter functions

• Triangle's area
• Heron's formula:
𝐴=
𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 𝑠 − 𝑏 (𝑠 − 𝑐)
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
wherein 𝑠 =
2

We're going use the

exponentiation operator
to find the square root
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Creating multi-parameter functions

• Factorials
- 𝑛! = 1×2×⋯×n
- Uses for loop to find the
product
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Creating multi-parameter
functions

Fibonnaci
• They are a sequence of integer numbers built
using a very simple rule:
• the first element of the sequence is
equal to one
• the second is also equal to one
• every subsequent number is the sum
of the two preceding numbers
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Recursion
▪ A function that calls
itself.
▪ Cleaner, more elegant
code.
▪ Breaks complex
problems into smaller
parts.
▪ Recursion is powerful
but memory-intensive.
▪ Commonly used in:
• Factorials
• Fibonacci sequence
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Sequence Types and

Mutability
•Sequence Type: A data type that stores multiple values
that can be iterated sequentially.
Example: Lists, tuples.

•Mutability: Refers to whether data can be modified in

place.
•Mutable: Can be changed (e.g., lists).
•Immutable: Cannot be changed (e.g., tuples).
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Tuples: Immutable Sequences

•Tuples: An immutable sequence type that uses
parentheses or comma-separated values.
•Tuples can store different data types.
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Tuple Usage and Restrictions

•Tuples are similar to lists,
but cannot be modified
•Operations:
•len(): Returns the number
of elements in a tuple.
•+: Joins tuples.
•*: Repeats tuples.
•the in and not in operators
work in the same way as in
lists.
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Dictionaries
•Dictionaries: Mutable, unordered collections of key-value
pairs.
•Keys must be unique and immutable, values can be of
any type.
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Types of Errors in Python

•Syntax Errors: Occur when Python cannot parse the

code due to incorrect syntax.

•Exceptions: Occur during the execution of syntactically

correct code but cause runtime issues.
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Handling Exceptions with Try-

Except
•Try-Except Block: Catch and handle exceptions to avoid
program interruption.
•Execution Flow:
1. Try block runs.
2. If an error occurs, jump to the except block.
3. If no error, continue after try-except block.
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Handling Multiple Exceptions

•You can handle specific exceptions using multiple
except blocks.
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Multiple Exceptions in One

Clause
•Handle multiple exceptions in a single except block
using parentheses.
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Common Python Built-in

Exceptions
ZeroDivisionError: Raised when division by zero occurs.
ValueError: Raised when a function receives an argument of the
wrong type.
TypeError: Raised when an operation or function is applied to an
inappropriate type.
AttributeError: Raised when an invalid attribute reference is
made.
KeyboardInterrupt: Raised when the user interrupts program
execution (Ctrl+C).
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Testing and Debugging

Debugging Tips:
• Use print statements to trace variables and
logic.
• Ask others to review your code.
• Isolate problematic code fragments for
testing.
• Take breaks to approach problems with fresh
eyes.