But that includes `''`. One way to show text to the user without `''` is with the print function. In Python, printing doesn't have anything to do with physical printers, it just means showing text on the screen.

Now we are ready for a classic example, which is also the first program in many tutorials :)

In Python 3, print is a function. Functions do something. They are used by typing their name _[*]_ and parenthesis. Inside the parenthesis, we can pass some parameters too. In `print("hello")` the function name is `print` and we give it one parameter, which is `"hello"`.

_[*] Actually, a name of [a variable that points to the function](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AEJHKGk9ns). Functions are also variables in Python. This means that `print_me_a_thingy = print` and then `print_me_a_thingy('hello world')` works just fine._

Functions are often thoght of as difficult to understand, but they really are not. They just do something with the parameters they're given. But if we do `x = print('hello')`, what is x?

So doing `x = print('hello')` set `x` to `None`. Here's what happened, explained in more detail:

- `print('hello')` calls the print function with the parameter `'hello'`.

- The function runs **immediately** when it's called. It shows the word hello.

- Now the right side has been processed. `print('hello')` returned `None`, so we can imagine we have `None` instead of `print('hello')` there, and the assignment now looks like `x = None`.

All functions need to return something. So does the print function, and that's why it returns `None`. Of course, `x = print('hello')` is useless compared to `print('hello')`, because the print function always returns `None` and we can do `x = None` without any printing.

Calling a function without assigning the return value to anything (e.g. `print('hello')`) simply throws away the return value. The interactive `>>>` prompt also echoes the return value back if it's not None:

You can also pass multiple parameters separated with commas. The print function will add spaces between them.

Not all functions return None. The input function can be used for getting a string from the user.

`input("Enter something:")` showed the text `Enter something:` on the screen and waited for me to type something. I typed hello and pressed Enter. Then input returned the hello I typed as a string and it was assigned to x.

>>> x = input("Enter something: ") # now there's space between : and where I type

Now it's time to write some code into a file for the first time. In IDLE, go to File at top left and select New File, or just press Ctrl+N.

Type something like this into the window that opens. When your code is in a file, adding `x` will not show the value of a variable called x to the user. You need to print it instead.