Python Functions
What is a function
A function is a block of code that performs a specific task.
Suppose we need to create a program to make a circle and color it. We can create two functions
to solve this problem:
1.function to create a circle
2.function to color the shape
Dividing a complex problem into smaller chunks makes our program easy to understand and
reuse.
Create a Python Function
Let's create our first function.
def greet():
print('Hello World!’)
Here are the different parts of the program:
Here, we have created a simple function named greet() that prints Hello World!
Note: When writing a function, pay attention to indentation, which are the spaces at the start of a code
line.
In the above code, the print() statement is indented to show it's part of the function body, distinguishing
the function's definition from its body.
Calling a Function
In the above example, we have declared a function named greet().
def greet():
print('Hello World!’)
If we run the above code, we won't get an output.
It's because creating a function doesn't mean we are executing the code inside it. It means the code
is there for us to use if we want to.
To use this function, we need to call the function.
Function Call
greet()
Example: Python Function Call
def greet():
print('Hello World!')
# call the function
greet()
print('Outside function')
Output
Hello World!
Outside functio
Working of Python Function
In the above example, we have created a function named greet().
Here's how the control of the program flows:
Here,
1.When the function greet() is called, the program's
control transfers to the function definition.
2.All the code inside the function is executed.
3.The control of the program jumps to the next statement
after the function call.
Python Function Arguments
Arguments are inputs given to the function.
def greet(name):
print("Hello", name)
# pass argument
greet("MOHAMED")
Output
Hello Mohamed
Here, we passed 'John' as an argument to the greet() function.
We can pass different arguments in each call, making the function re-usable and greet("Mohamed")
dynamic. Output
Let's call the function with a different argument. Hello Mohamed
Example: Function to Add Two
Numbers
# function with two arguments
def add_numbers(num1, num2):
sum = num1 + num2
print("Sum: ", sum)
# function call with two values
add_numbers(5, 4)
Output
Sum: 9
In the above example, we have created a function named add_numbers() with arguments: num1 and num2.
The return Statement
We return a value from the function using the return statement.
# function definition
def find_square(num):
result = num * num
return result
# function call
square = find_square(3)
print('Square:', square)
Square: 9
Output
In the above example, we have created a function named find_square(). The function accepts a number and returns the square of the
number.
Note: The return statement also denotes that the function has ended. Any code after return is not executed.
Python Library Functions
Python provides some built-in functions that can be directly used in our program.
We don't need to create the function, we just need to call them.
Some Python library functions are:
1.print() - prints the string inside the quotation marks
2.sqrt() - returns the square root of a number
3.pow() - returns the power of a number
These library functions are defined inside the module. And to use them, we must include the module inside
our program.
For example, sqrt() is defined inside the math module.
Example: Python Library Function
import math
# sqrt computes the square root
square_root = math.sqrt(4)
print("Square Root of 4 is",square_root) Output
Square Root of 4 is 2.0
# pow() comptes the power 2 to the power 3 is 8
power = pow(2, 3)
print("2 to the power 3 is",power)
Here, we imported a math module to use the library functions sqrt() and pow().
Read more
Python Library Functions
Python input()
reads and returns a line of string Python help()
Invokes the built-in Help System
Python complex()
Creates a Complex Number Python int()
returns integer from a number or string
Python chr()
Returns a Character (a string) from an Integer Python list()
creates a list in Python
Python abs()
returns absolute value of a number Python len()
Returns Length of an Object
Python float()
returns floating point number from number, string Python max()
returns the largest item
Read more
Python Library Functions
Python min()
returns the smallest value Python str()
returns the string version of the object
Python pow()
returns the power of a number Python sum()
Adds items of an Iterable
Python print()
Prints the Given Object
Python range() Function
returns a sequence of numbers
Python round()
rounds a number to specified decimals
