Functions in Python

A function f takes an input x, and returns a single output f(x). One metaphor describes the function as a "machine" or "black box" that for each input returns a corresponding output.

Introduction

In programming, a named section of a program that performs a specific task. In this sense, a function is a type of procedure or routine. Some programming languages make a distinction between a function, which returns a value, and a procedure, which performs some operation but does not return a value.

Most programming languages come with a prewritten set of functions that are kept in a library. You can also write your own functions to perform specialized tasks.

We use function so we don't need to repeat ourselves.

The difference between returning and printing

Students often print from within a function. Please understand the difference between printing a result from a function and returning a result from a function.

print: gives the value to the user as an output string. print(3) would give a string '3' to the screen for the user to view. The program would lose the value.

return: gives the value to the program. Callers of the function then have the actual data and data type (bool, int, etc...) return 3 would have the value 3 put in place of where the function was called.

Example of a function

#
# this is a simple function
#

def welcome(name):
    if name == "Alisher":
        likes_hamburgers ="yes"
    else:
        likes_hamburgers="no"
    return likes_hamburgers
    
print welcome("Bill")
print welcome("Alisher")    
print welcome("foo")

Another classic example of a function

#
# this is a simple function
#

def calculator(number1, number2):
    answer = number1 + number2
    return answer
    
print calculator(12,43)
print calculator(91,673)
print calculator(1,3)
print calculator(87,1098)

Some decent videos about functions in Python

In the video to the left, the programmer uses a different IDE than we do (we use canopy). The programmer also uses tests in this video, which we haven't covered yet. The video on the right is pretty good example of what a function is, and also discusses variable scope

Do you understand functions?

Beginning level functions

1. Write a function which accept a string and returns the string in uppercase
2. Write a function which accepts a string and returns the string capitalized
3. Write a function that accepts 2 numbers and returns the sum
4. Write a function that accepts 2 numbers and returns the quotient
5. Write a function that accepts 2 numbers and returns the product
6. Write a function that accepts 2 numbers and returns the difference

Average level difficulty

1. Write a function that accepts two arguments. A name (as string) and a nice greeting (as a string). Your function should return a full sentence.

for example print my_function("joe","happy birthday")
returns -> Joe, I'd like to wish you a very happy birthday!

2. write a function that returns an ascii-art number (please click here to get the ascii numbers)

 for example: print my_number(132)
 would return: 

                        .--,-``-.     
     ,---,      ,----,  /   /     '.   
  ,`--.' |    .'   .' \/ ../        ;  
 /    /  :  ,----,'    \ ``\  .`-    ' 
:    |.' '  |    :  .  ;\___\/   \   : 
`----':  |  ;    |.'  /      \   :   | 
   '   ' ;  `----'/  ;       /  /   /  
   |   | |    /  ;  /        \  \   \  
   '   : ;   ;  /  /-,   ___ /   :   | 
   |   | '  /  /  /.`|  /   /\   /   : 
   '   : |./__;      : / ,,/  ',-    . 
   ;   |.'|   :    .'  \ \        ;  
   '---'  ;   | .'      \   \     .'   
          `---'          `--`-,,-'

3. Write a function that takes a string and returns the letters shifted 2 spaces to the right.

 for example: encode("abcdefg")
 would return: cdefghi

4. Write a function that takes an integer and RETURNS a word which corresponds to that integer.

 for example description_of_monster(1)
 would return: Fluffy

def description_of_monster(value):
    if value == 1:
        return "fluffy"
    elif value == 2:
        return "spikey"
    elif value == 3:
        return "slimy"
    else:
         return "scary"
         
                     
print("One day, as I was walking along, I saw a " + description_of_monster(2) + " monster!") 
print("As you peek around the dark corner, you see a  " + description_of_monster(6) + " monster!") 
print("I don't really like " + description_of_monster(1) + " monsters.")

Expert level difficulty

A common mechanic in computer games is to simulate a dice roll. please click here to see an image of different types of dice. Please write a function that rolls dice for you and RETURNS the result.

 for example: roll_dice(d6,3) <-- would roll a six sided die 3 times and return the result
 for example: roll_dice(d12,1) <-- would roll a 12 sided dice 1 and return the result
 for example: roll_dice(d20,4)  <-- would roll a 20 sided die 4 times and return the result. 

 As extra-credit, you might want to return the result of each roll and then the final total. 
 for example: roll_dice(d6,3) <-- might return 6 3 1 10

A unit of abstract mathematical system subject to the laws of arithmetic.

A natural number, a negative of a natural number, or zero.