A function is a reusable block of code that performs a specific job. Also known as user-defined functions as they are defined by users. There are two kinds of functions, one which returns values while others only display output on the screen.
Functions in python
In this article, we will discuss those functions which display values on the screen.
Elements of a function
A function consists of three elements:
- Function Name
- Parameters
- A return value
1. Function Name
Each function has a specific name. For naming a function in python we need to follow these naming conventions.
Naming conventions for function:
1. It can begin with A – Z, a – z, and underscore (_).
2. A – Z, a – z, digits (0 – 9), and underscore (_) can be part of it.
3. A reserved keyword cannot be a function name.
2. Parameters
After the function name, we write parenthesis. In parenthesis, parameters are placed. Our function can have no parameter, or it can have one or more parameters. Parameters are values on which a function performs an operation and they are provided by a user. If we have more than one parameter, then insert a comma to separate them.
Syntax of the function definition:
To define a function, we write keyword def then function name followed by a parenthesis with or without parameters inside and semicolon. All statements that are part of the function body should be indented.
def functionname():
here is your function definition
How to Make a Function Call
Once you have completed the function definition, now it’s time to call the function. You call the function by its name with the argument list. You need to pass a value for every parameter, otherwise, the default value for that parameter will be considered.
def functionname():
here is your function definition
functionname()
Types of Functions
Based on parameters, we categorize functions as follows:
- Function without parameters
- Function with parameters
Function without parameters
A function that does not have any parameter. Here are a few examples.
Example 1:
def func():
print('Hello i am a function without parameters')
func()
Output:
Hello I am a function without parameters
Output:
In Figure 1 we have defined a function func(). The body of function has a print statement. Calling the function displays a statement on the screen as shown in Figure2.
Example 2:
def show_main_menu():
print(
"1.Biology\n" +
"2.Pyhsics\n" +
"3.Chemistry\n" +
"4.Exit\n")
choice = input("Enter your choice: ")
if choice == "1":
print("You chose Biology")
elif choice == "2":
print("You chose Physics")
elif choice == "3":
print("You chose Chemistry")
elif choice == "4":
print("Goodbye")
else:
print("Wrong choice, Please Enter [1 to 4]\n")
ent = input("Press Enter to continue ...")
show_main_menu()
show_main_menu()
Output:
1.Biology
2.Pyhsics
3.Chemistry
4.Exit
Enter your choice: 2
You chose Physics
Output:
In example 2, Figure 3 we have defined a function show_main _menu(). The function displays a menu of options using the print command. For user choice, we have used the input function. The user selects a category number and the program prints a message according to the selected category as shown in Figure 4.
Function with parameters
Example1:
def table(num): for i in range(1,11): print(num,'X',i,'=',num*i) table(12)
Output:
12 X 1 = 12
12 X 2 = 24
12 X 3 = 36
12 X 4 = 48
12 X 5 = 60
12 X 6 = 72
12 X 7 = 84
12 X 8 = 96
12 X 9 = 108
12 X 10 = 120
Output:
In Figure 5 we have defined a function table(num). We have used for loop to increment the value of ‘i’. By calling the function table (12) we get a table of 12 as shown in Figure 6.
Example 2:
def caldisc(amount):
if amount > 0:
if amount >= 100 or amount <= 199.99:
disc = amount * 0.05
owed = amount - disc
print("value of good {} discount given {} amount owed {}".format(amount, disc, owed))
elif amount >= 200:
disc = amount * 0.10
owed = amount - disc
print("value of good {} discount given {} amount owed {}".format(amount, disc, owed))
else:
print("Invalid Amount")
caldisc(150)
Output:
value of good 150 discount given 7.5 amount owed 142.5
Output:
In Figure 7 we have defined a function caldisc(amount) to calculate the values of goods purchased. If the value is £200 or more, a 10% discount is given and if the value is between £100 and £199.99, a 5% discount is given. A discount is subtracted from the value to find the amount owed. Then we have printed the value of goods, discount given and amount owed as shown in Figure 8.
Example 3:
def sum_numbers(x,y):
print('sum of two numbers', x,'and', y, 'is', x+y)
sum_numbers(12,22)
Output:
sum of two numbers 12 and 22 is 34
Output:
In Figure 9, we have defined sum_numbers(x,y) function. It adds two numbers and displays the value as shown in Figure 10.
Karim Buzdar holds a degree in telecommunication engineering and holds several sysadmin certifications including CCNA RS, SCP, and ACE. As an IT engineer and technical author, he writes for various websites.
