Computer Programming
Functions
Eyob S.
SITE, AAiT
June 16, 2024
Eyob S. (SITE, AAiT) Computer Programming June 16, 2024 1 / 31
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Types of Functions
3 Parameters and Arguments
4 Variable Scopes
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Introduction
Introduction
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Definition
A function in Python is a block of reusable code designed to perform
a specific task.
It can take inputs, process them, and return a result.
Functions help in organizing code into manageable sections, making it
easier to understand, test, and maintain.
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Why Functions?
Modularity: Functions allow the code to be divided into smaller,
manageable pieces.
Reusability: Functions can be called multiple times, avoiding code
duplication.
Maintainability: Functions simplify debugging and testing.
Abstraction: Functions hide implementation details and expose only
necessary parts to the user.
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Defining and Calling Functions
Defining a Function:
def function_name(parameters):
"""
Docstring (optional)
"""
# Function body
return result
Calling a Function:
result = function_name(arguments)
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Types of Functions
Types of Functions
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1. Built-in Functions
Python provides many built-in functions that are always available. Here are
some of the most commonly used:
abs() divmod() input() open()
all() enumerate() int() ord()
any() eval() iter() pow()
bin() exec() print() float()
list() chr() len() range()
max() set() complex() round()
min() ord() sorted() next()
dict() hex() dir() type()
id() oct() str() sum()
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Module
A module in Python is a file containing Python code (functions, classes,
variables) that can be imported and used in other Python programs.
Modules help organize and reuse code.
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Important Modules in Python
Python’s standard library includes many modules that provide addi-
tional functionality. Here are some important ones:
math random
sys re
itertools functools
os collections
datetime json
heapq operator
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Using the math Module
The math module provides mathematical functions and constants.
import math
print(math.sqrt(16)) # Output: 4.0
print(math.pi) # Output: 3.141592653589793
print(math.factorial(5)) # Output: 120
print(math.sin(math.pi/2)) # Output: 1.0
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Using the random Module
The random module provides functions for generating random numbers and
performing random operations.
import random
# Random float between 0.0 and 1.0
print(random.random())
# Random integer between 1 and 10
print(random.randint(1, 10))
# Random choice
print(random.choice(['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']))
# 5 unique random numbers
print(random.sample(range(100), 5))
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Using the datetime Module
The datetime module supplies classes for manipulating dates and times.
import datetime
now = datetime.datetime.now()
print(now) # Output: Current date and time
new_year = datetime.datetime(2024, 1, 1)
print(new_year) # Output: 2024-01-01 00:00:00
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Using the os Module
The os module provides functions for interacting with the operating system.
import os
print(os.name) # Output: Name of the operating system
print(os.getcwd()) # Output: Current working directory
os.mkdir('new_folder') # Create a new directory
os.rmdir('new_folder') # Remove a directory
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2. User-defined Functions
User-defined Functions: These are functions created by the user using
the def keyword.
def greet(name):
return f"Hello, {name}!"
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3. Void Functions
Functions that do not have the return statement.
Used for performing actions or procedures.
If you try to assign the result to a variable, you get a special value
called None.
def print_message():
print("Hello, World!")
result = print_message()
print(result)
print(print_message())
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4. Fruitful Functions
Functions that return a value.
Used for calculations or data processing.
Example: Calculating the sum of two numbers.
def add(a, b):
return a + b
result = add(3, 5)
print(result)
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5. Boolean Functions
Functions that return a boolean value (True/False).
Used for decision making.
Example: Checking if a number is even.
def is_even(n):
return n % 2 == 0
print(is_even(4))
print(is_even(7))
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6. Recursive Functions
Functions that call themselves.
Used for problems that can be broken down into smaller, similar prob-
lems.
def factorial(n):
if n == 0:
return 1
else:
return n * factorial(n - 1)
print(factorial(5))
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Parameters and Arguments
Parameters and Arguments
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Parameters and Arguments
Parameters: These are variables listed inside the parentheses in the
function definition.
def greet(name): # 'name' is a parameter
return f"Hello, {name}!"
Arguments: These are the actual values passed to the function when
it is called.
greet('Alice') # 'Alice' is an argument
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Example
# function definition
def calculate_area(length, width):
"""
This function calculates the area of a rectangle.
"""
area = length * width
return area
# Function call with arguments
area = calculate_area(5, 3)
print(f"The area is {area}")
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Default Parameters
Parameters with default values.
Used when some arguments are optional.
def greet(name, message="Hello"):
print(f"{message}, {name}!")
greet("Alice")
greet("Bob", "Hi")
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Keyword Arguments
Parameters passed by name.
Increases readability and allows parameter reordering.
def describe_pet(animal_type, pet_name):
print(f"I have a {animal_type} named {pet_name}.")
describe_pet(animal_type="dog", pet_name="Rex")
describe_pet(pet_name="Mittens", animal_type="cat")
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Unknown Number of Parameters
def sum_numbers(*args):
return sum(args)
print(sum_numbers(1, 2, 3))
print(sum_numbers(4, 5, 6, 7))
def print_info(**kwargs):
for key, value in kwargs.items():
print(f"{key}: {value}")
print_info(name="Alice", age=30, city="New York")
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Variable Scopes
Variable Scopes
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Global Variables
Variables defined outside any function.
Accessible from any part of the code.
x = 10 # Global variable
def print_global():
print(x)
print_global()
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Global Variables
# Define a global variable
x = 10
def modify_global():
global x
x = 20
print("Before function call:", x)
modify_global()
print("After function call:", x)
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Local Variables
Variables defined inside a function and only accessible within the
function.
y = 10 # global variable
def print_local():
y = 5 # Local variable
z = 7 # Local variable
print(y,z)
print_local()
print(z) # This would cause an error
print(y) # prints the value 10
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Dead Code
Code that is never executed.
Can occur due to conditions that are always false.
Example: Unreachable code after a return statement.
Reduces code readability and can lead to maintenance issues.
def example_function():
return "This will be returned"
print("This will never be printed") # Dead code
print(example_function())
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END
Thank You!!!
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