Chapter 6 Functions in Python

Applied Programming

Course Supervisor: Syed Muhammad Hassan

1
 Opening Problem
Find the sum of integers from 1 to 10, from 20 to 37, and
from 35 to 49, respectively.

2
 Problem
sum = 0
for i in range(1, 10):
sum += i
print("Sum from 1 to 10 is", sum)

sum = 0
for i in range(20, 37):
sum += i
print("Sum from 20 to 37 is", sum)

sum = 0
for i in range(35, 49):
sum += i
print("Sum from 35 to 49 is", sum)
3
 Problem
sum = 0
for i in range(1, 10):
sum += i
print("Sum from 1 to 10 is", sum)

sum = 0
for i in range(20, 37):
sum += i
print("Sum from 20 to 37 is", sum)

sum = 0
for i in range(35, 49):
sum += i
print("Sum from 35 to 49 is", sum)
4
 Solution
def sum(i1, i2):
result = 0
for i in range(i1, i2):
result += i
return result

def main():
print("Sum from 1 to 10 is", sum(1, 10))
print("Sum from 20 to 37 is", sum(20, 37))
print("Sum from 35 to 49 is", sum(35, 49))

main() # Call the main function

5
 Defining Functions
A function is a collection of statements that are
grouped together to perform an operation.
Define a function Invoke a function

function name formal parameters

function z = max(x, y)
def max(num1, num2):
header
if num1 > num2:
function actual parameters
result = num1 (arguments)
body else:
result = num2

return result

return value

6
 Function Header
A function contains a header and body. The header begins with the
def keyword, followed by function’s name and parameters,
followed by a colon.

7
 Formal Parameters
The variables defined in the function header are known as
formal parameters.

8
 Actual Parameters
When a function is invoked, you pass a value to the parameter.
This value is referred to as actual parameter or argument.

Define a function Invoke a function

function name formal parameters

function z = max(x, y)
def max(num1, num2):
header
if num1 > num2:
function actual parameters
result = num1 (arguments)
body else:
result = num2

return result

return value

9
 Return Value
A function may return a value using the return keyword.
Define a function Invoke a function

function name formal parameters

function z = max(x, y)
def max(num1, num2):
header
if num1 > num2:
function actual parameters
result = num1 (arguments)
body else:
result = num2

return result

return value

10
 Calling Functions
Testing the max function
This program demonstrates calling a function
max to return the largest of the int values

TestMax

11
 Calling Functions, cont.
pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

12
 Trace Function Invocation
Invoke the main function

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

13
 Trace Function Invocation
i is now 5

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

14
animation

Trace Function Invocation

j is now 2

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

15
animation

Trace Function Invocation

invoke max(i, j)

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

16
animation

Trace Function Invocation

invoke max(i, j)
Pass the value of i to num1
Pass the value of j to num2
pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

17
animation

Trace Function Invocation

(num1 > num2) is true
since num1 is 5 and num2
is 2
pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

18
animation

Trace Function Invocation

result is now 5

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

19
animation

Trace Function Invocation

return result, which is 5

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

20
animation

Trace Function Invocation

return max(i, j) and assign
the return value to k
pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

21
animation

Trace Function Invocation

Execute the print
statement
pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

22
animation

Trace Function Invocation

Return to the caller

pass int 5
pass int 2

def main(): def max(num1, num2):

i = 5 if num1 > num2:
main() j = 2 result = num1
k = max(i, j) else:
result = num2
print("The maximum between",
i, "and", j, "is", k) return result

23
 Call Stacks

stack stack stack

Space required for

Space required for
the max function
the max function
result:
num2: int object num2:
num1: 2
int object num1:
2 Space required for Space required for
Space required for
the main function the main function the main function
j: 2 j: j:
int object int object
i: 5 i: i:
5 5

(a) The main function This is a heap for (b) The max This is a heap for (c) The max function
is invoked. storing objects function is invoked. storing objects is being executed.

24
Call Stacks
stack stack

int object
Space required for
2
the main function Stack is
k: now empty
j: 2 int object
i: 5 5

(d) The max function is This is a heap for (e) The main
finished and the return storing objects function is finished.
value is sent to k.

25
Functions With/Without Return
Values
This type of function does not return a value. The
function performs some actions.

PrintGradeFunction

ReturnGradeFunction

26
The None Value

A function that does not return a value is known

as a void function in other programming
languages such as Python, C++, and C#. In
Python, such function returns a special None.

def sum(number1, number2):

total = number1 + number2
print(sum(1, 2))

27
 Passing Arguments by
Positions
def nPrintln(message, n):
for i in range(0, n):
print(message)
Suppose you invoke the function using
nPrintln(“Welcome to Python”, 5)
What is the output?

Suppose you invoke the function using

nPrintln(“Computer Science”, 15)
What is the output?

What is wrong
nPrintln(4, “Computer Science”)
28
 Keyword Arguments
def nPrintln(message, n):
for i in range(0, n):
print(message)

What is wrong
nPrintln(4, “Computer Science”)

Is this OK?
nPrintln(n = 4, message = “Computer Science”)

29
 Pass by Value
In Python, all data are objects. A variable for an object is actually a
reference to the object. When you invoke a function with a
parameter, the reference value of the argument is passed to the
parameter. This is referred to as pass-by-value. For simplicity, we
say that the value of an argument is passed to a parameter when
invoking a function. Precisely, the value is actually a reference
value to the object.

If the argument is a number or a string, the argument is not affected,

regardless of the changes made to the parameter inside the function.

Increment
30
 Modularizing Code
Functions can be used to reduce redundant coding and
enable code reuse. Functions can also be used to
modularize code and improve the quality of the program.

GCDFunction TestGCDFunction

PrimeNumberFunction

31
Problem: Converting Decimals to
Hexadecimals
Write a function that converts a decimal integer
to a hexadecimal.

Decimal2HexConversion

32
 Scope of Variables
Scope: the part of the program where the
variable can be referenced.
A variable created inside a function is referred to as
a local variable. Local variables can only be
accessed inside a function. The scope of a local
variable starts from its creation and continues to
the end of the function that contains the variable.
In Python, you can also use global variables. They
are created outside all functions and are accessible
to all functions in their scope.
33
 Example 1
globalVar = 1
def f1():
localVar = 2
print(globalVar)
print(localVar)
f1()
print(globalVar)
print(localVar) # Out of scope. This gives an error

34
 Example 2
x = 1
def f1():
x = 2
print(x) # Displays 2
f1()
print(x) # Displays 1

35
 Example 3
x = eval(input("Enter a number: "))
if (x > 0):
y=4
print(y) # This gives an error if y is not created

36
 Example 4
sum = 0
for i in range(0, 5):
sum += i
print(i)

37
 Example 5
x = 1
def increase():
global x
x = x + 1
print(x) # Displays 2
increase()
print(x) # Displays 2

38
 Default Arguments
Python allows you to define functions with default
argument values. The default values are passed to the
parameters when a function is invoked without the
arguments.

DefaultArgumentDemo

39
 Returning Multiple Values
Python allows a function to return multiple values.
Listing 5.9 defines a function that takes two numbers
and returns them in non-descending order.

MultipleReturnValueDemo

40
Generating Random
Characters

RandomCharacter

TestRandomCharacter

41
 Function Abstraction
You can think of the function body as a black box that
contains the detailed implementation for the function.

Optional arguments Optional return

for input value

Function Header
Black Box
Function Body

42
 Benefits of Functions
• Write a function once and reuse it anywhere.
• Information hiding. Hide the implementation
from the user.
• Reduce complexity.

43
Stepwise Refinement
The concept of function abstraction can be applied to the
process of developing programs. When writing a large
program, you can use the “divide and conquer” strategy,
also known as stepwise refinement, to decompose it into
subproblems. The subproblems can be further
decomposed into smaller, more manageable problems.

44
PrintCalender Case Study
Let us use the PrintCalendar example to demonstrate the
stepwise refinement approach.

PrintCalendar

45
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

46
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

47
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

48
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

49
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

50
Design Diagram
printCalendar
(main)

readInput printMonth

printMonthTitle printMonthBody

getMonthName getStartDay

getTotalNumOfDays

getNumOfDaysInMonth

isLeapYear

51
 Implementation: Top-Down
Top-down approach is to implement one function in the
structure chart at a time from the top to the bottom. Stubs
can be used for the functions waiting to be implemented.
A stub is a simple but incomplete version of a function.
The use of stubs enables you to test invoking the function
from a caller. Implement the main function first and then
use a stub for the printMonth function. For example, let
printMonth display the year and the month in the stub.
Thus, your program may begin like this:

A Skeleton for printCalendar

52
 Implementation: Bottom-Up
Bottom-up approach is to implement one function in the
structure chart at a time from the bottom to the top. For
each function implemented, write a test program to test it.
Both top-down and bottom-up functions are fine. Both
approaches implement the functions incrementally and
help to isolate programming errors and makes debugging
easy. Sometimes, they can be used together.

53
Turtle:
Developing Reusable Graphics
Functions
def drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2): UsefulTurtleFunctions

def writeString(s, x, y):

def drawPoint(x, y):

def drawCircle(x = 0, y = 0, radius = 10):

def drawRectangle(x = 0, y = 0, width = 10, height = 10):

UseCustomTurtleFunctions
54