Python Functions

Lê Ngọc Hiếu
lnhieu@hcmute.edu.vn
 1. Definition of Functions

2. Python Build-in Functions

4. Exercises

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Definition of Functions
• A function is a block of code which only runs when it is
called.
• Functions perform a predefined task and can be called upon
in any program, as per requirement.
• You can pass data, known as parameters, into a function.
• A function can return data as a result.
• Two types of functions:
• Build-in functions: pre-defined in Python, present for use.
• User-defined functions: defined by developers in programs.

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Python Build-in Functions

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Several Build-in Functions in Python
Functio Description Functio Description
n n
abs() Returns the absolute print() Prints to the standard
value of a number output device
ascii() Returns a readable input() Allowing user input
version of an object. int() Returns an integer number
Replaces none-ascii float() Returns a float number
characters with escape max() Returns the largest item in
character an iterable
bin() Returns the binary version min() Returns the smallest item in
of a number an iterable
id() Returns the id of an object pow() Returns the value of
type() Returns the type of an round() Rounds a numbers
object sorted() Returns a sorted list
range() Returns a sequence of sum() Sums the items of an
numbers, starting from 0 iterator 5
User-defined Functions

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Defining a Function
• A function has two main parts: a function definition and
body.
• Syntax of defining a function:
• Use def keyword
• Docstring and return are optional.
def
function_name(parameters):
"""docstring"""
statement1
statement2
...
...
return [expr]
Calling a Function
• To use a function, you need to call it.
• A function call instructs Python to execute the code inside
the function.
• To call a function, write the name of the function, followed
by the information that the function needs in parentheses.
• Examples:

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Function Arguments
• Information can be passed into functions as arguments.
• Arguments are specified after the function name, inside the
parentheses.
• Functions can have many arguments which are separated
by commas.

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Parameters or Arguments?
• The terms parameter and argument can be used for the
same thing: information that are passed into a function.
• From a function's perspective:
• A parameter is the variable listed inside the parentheses in
the function definition.
• An argument is the value that is sent to the function when it
is called.

In the example:
• What are parameters?
• What are arguments?

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Keyword Arguments
• Arguments can be sent with the key = value syntax.
• This way the order of the arguments does not matter.
• Example:

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Default Parameter Value
• A function can have default parameter values.
• If the function is called without arguments, it uses the
default values.
• Example:

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Arbitrary Arguments
• Add a * before the parameter name in the function
definition in case the number of arguments is not known
beforehand.

This example works.

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Arbitrary Keyword Arguments
• If the number of keyword arguments is unknown, add a
double ** before the parameter name.

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Exercises

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1. Write a Python function to find the Max of three numbers.
Function name and parameters: max3(number1, number2, number3)
2. Write a function to compute the perimeter and area of a triangle given
side lengths of the triangle.
Function name and parameters : triangle(side1, side2, side3)
3. Write a Python function to calculate the factorial of a number (a non-
negative integer). The function accepts the number as an argument.
Function name and parameters: factorial(n)
4. Write a Python function that takes a number as a parameter and check
the number is prime or not.
Function name and parameters: isprime(n)
5. Write a Python function that takes a number as a parameter and check
the number is a perfect number.
Function name and parameters: isperfect(n)
6. Implement all exercises in the previous lessons as functions.
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