Functions

Chapter 5

Python for Everybody

www.py4e.com
 Stored (and reused) Steps
def
thing(): Program:
print('Hello') Output:
def thing():
print('Fun') print('Hello')
print('Fun') Hello
thing() Fun
thing()
print('Zip') Zip
print('Zip') thing()
Hello
Fun
thing()
We call these reusable pieces of code “functions”
 Python Functions
• There are two kinds of functions in Python.

- Built-in functions that are provided as part of Python - print(),

input(), type(), float(), int() ...

- Functions that we define ourselves and then use

• We treat function names as “new” reserved words

(i.e., we avoid them as variable names)
 Function Definition
• In Python a function is some reusable code that takes
arguments(s) as input, does some computation, and then returns
a result or results

• We define a function using the def reserved word

• We call/invoke the function by using the function name,

parentheses, and arguments in an expression
Functions of Our Own…
 Building our Own Functions
• We create a new function using the def keyword followed by
optional parameters in parentheses

• We indent the body of the function

• This defines the function but does not execute the body of the
function

Syntax : def functionname( parameters ):

<statements>
return [expression]
x = 5
print('Hello')

def print_lyrics():
print("I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.") Hello
print('I sleep all night and I work all day.')
Yo
print('Yo') 7
x = x + 2
print(x)
 Definitions and Uses
• Once we have defined a function, we can call (or invoke) it
as many times as we like

• This is the store and reuse pattern

x = 5
print('Hello')

def print_lyrics():
print("I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.")
print('I sleep all night and I work all day.')

print('Yo')
print_lyrics()
x = x + 2
Hello
print(x) Yo
I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.
I sleep all night and I work all day.
7
 Parameters
>>> def greet(lang):
A parameter is a variable which ... if lang == 'es':
we use in the function definition. ... print('Hola')
... elif lang == 'fr':
It is a “handle” that allows the ... print('Bonjour')
... else:
code in the function to access ... print('Hello')
the arguments for a particular ...
>>> greet('en')
function invocation. Hello
>>> greet('es')
Hola
>>> greet('fr')
Bonjour
>>>
 Arguments
• An argument is a value we pass into the function as its input
when we call the function

• We use arguments so we can direct the function to do different

kinds of work when we call it at different times

• We put the arguments in parentheses after the name of the

function
greet('en')
Argument
 Example
Write a program to input the number n, then print the divisors of n
 Return Values
Often a function will take its arguments, do some computation, and
return a value to be used as the value of the function call in the
calling expression. The return keyword is used for this.

def greet():
return "Hello" Hello Glenn
Hello Sally
print(greet(), "Glenn")
print(greet(), "Sally")
 Return Value
>>> def greet(lang):
... if lang == 'es':
• A “fruitful” function is one ... return 'Hola'
... elif lang == 'fr':
that produces a result (or ... return 'Bonjour'
return value) ... else:
... return 'Hello'
...
• The return statement ends >>> print(greet('en'),'Glenn')
the function execution and Hello Glenn
>>> print(greet('es'),'Sally')
“sends back” the result of Hola Sally
the function >>> print(greet('fr'),'Michael')
Bonjour Michael
>>>
 Example
Write a program to input the number n, then print the divisors of n and
sum of divisors of n
Multiple Parameters / Arguments
• We can define more than one
parameter in the function def addtwo(a, b):
definition added = a + b
return added
• We simply add more arguments
x = addtwo(3, 5)
when we call the function print(x)

• We match the number and order 8

of arguments and parameters
 Void (non-fruitful) Functions

• When a function does not return a value, we call it a “void”

function

• Functions that return values are “fruitful” functions

• Void functions are “not fruitful”

To function or not to function...
• Organize your code into “paragraphs” - capture a complete
thought and “name it”

• Don’t repeat yourself - make it work once and then reuse it

• If something gets too long or complex, break it up into logical

chunks and put those chunks in functions

• Make a library of common stuff that you do over and over -

perhaps share this with your friends...
 Mathematical functions
This module provides access to the mathematical functions
defined by the C standard.

o fabs(x): It returns the absolute value of x.

o ceil():- It returns the smallest integer value greater than or equal to x.
o floor():- It returns the largest integer less than or equal to x.
o factorial():- It returns the factorial of x.
o gcd():- This function is used to compute the greatest common divisor of 2 numbers
mentioned in its arguments. This function works in python 3.5 and above.
Mathematical functions
Mathematical functions
Mathematical functions
Mathematical functions
Random functions
Random functions
Random functions
 Summary
• Functions • Arguments
• Built-In Functions • Results (fruitful functions)
• Type conversion (int, float) • Void (non-fruitful) functions
• String conversions • Why use functions?
• Parameters
Exercise

Rewrite your pay computation with time-and-a-

half for overtime and create a function called
computepay which takes two parameters ( hours
and rate).

Enter Hours: 45
Enter Rate: 10

Pay: 475.0
475 = 40 * 10 + 5 * 15
 Acknowledgements / Contributions
These slides are Copyright 2010- Charles R. Severance ...
(www.dr-chuck.com) of the University of Michigan School of
Information and open.umich.edu and made available under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Please maintain this
last slide in all copies of the document to comply with the
attribution requirements of the license. If you make a change,
feel free to add your name and organization to the list of
contributors on this page as you republish the materials.

Initial Development: Charles Severance, University of Michigan

School of Information

… Insert new Contributors and Translators here