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Python Functions Tutorial
course content

Course Content

Python Functions Tutorial

Python Functions Tutorial

1. What is a Function in Python?
What Is Function?Challenge: Building FunctionsArgumentsReturn ValueFunction BodyBuilt-in Functions
2. Positional and Optional Arguments
Positional ArgumentsChallenge: Positional ArgumentsOptional ArgumentsChallenge: Optional Arguments
3. Arbitrary Arguments
Arbitrary ArgumentsArbitrary Keyword ArgumentsCombination of Positional and Optional Arguments
4. Function Return Value Specification
Single Return ValueMultiple Return ValuesNone Return ValueGenerator FunctionsChallenge: Traffic lights
5. Recursion and Lambda Functions
RecursionChallenge: Search EngineLambda FunctionsImmediately Invoked Lambda ExpressionWriting Effective and Maintainable Functions

bookArguments

In Python, function arguments are the inputs you provide to a function when you call it. They allow you to supply data or values that the function can utilize. These arguments can be individual values or objects like lists, tuples, dictionaries, or custom objects.

For example, when we use the print() function, we provide a string as an argument. Here's another example:

Suppose we want to write a function that calculates the sum of two different numbers and prints the result. To achieve this, we need to pass these two numbers to the function using parentheses ().


              
123456789

            
# Specify two arguments of the function
def sum_of_two_numbers(num_1, num_2):
	# Use arguments to calculate sum
	result = num_1 + num_2
    # Print the result
	print(f'Sum of two numbers is {result}')
 
# Call the function 
sum_of_two_numbers(2, 10)
copy

We have passed num_1 and num_2 as arguments to the function and then used them to calculate the sum. You can set an arbitrary number of function arguments.

Let's consider an example where we use a list as an argument for the function:


              
123456789101112131415

            
# Define the function `calculate_list_sum`
def calculate_list_sum(list):
    # Initialize the total sum to 0
    total = 0
    # Iterate through each number in the list
    for num in list:
        # Add the current number to the total sum
        total += num
    # Print the total sum
    print(total)

# Create a list of numbers
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# Call the function 
calculate_list_sum(my_list)
copy

This code defines a function calculate_list_sum that takes a list of numbers, calculates their sum by adding each number to the total variable, and prints the result. The function is called with the list my_list, containing the numbers [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], and outputs the sum, which is 15.

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

Assume that you have to calculate perimeter of the triangle with sides a, b and c. Write the function with calculates perimeter and prints it in console.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 1. Chapter 3
toggle bottom row

bookArguments

In Python, function arguments are the inputs you provide to a function when you call it. They allow you to supply data or values that the function can utilize. These arguments can be individual values or objects like lists, tuples, dictionaries, or custom objects.

For example, when we use the print() function, we provide a string as an argument. Here's another example:

Suppose we want to write a function that calculates the sum of two different numbers and prints the result. To achieve this, we need to pass these two numbers to the function using parentheses ().


              
123456789

            
# Specify two arguments of the function
def sum_of_two_numbers(num_1, num_2):
	# Use arguments to calculate sum
	result = num_1 + num_2
    # Print the result
	print(f'Sum of two numbers is {result}')
 
# Call the function 
sum_of_two_numbers(2, 10)
copy

We have passed num_1 and num_2 as arguments to the function and then used them to calculate the sum. You can set an arbitrary number of function arguments.

Let's consider an example where we use a list as an argument for the function:


              
123456789101112131415

            
# Define the function `calculate_list_sum`
def calculate_list_sum(list):
    # Initialize the total sum to 0
    total = 0
    # Iterate through each number in the list
    for num in list:
        # Add the current number to the total sum
        total += num
    # Print the total sum
    print(total)

# Create a list of numbers
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# Call the function 
calculate_list_sum(my_list)
copy

This code defines a function calculate_list_sum that takes a list of numbers, calculates their sum by adding each number to the total variable, and prints the result. The function is called with the list my_list, containing the numbers [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], and outputs the sum, which is 15.

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

Assume that you have to calculate perimeter of the triangle with sides a, b and c. Write the function with calculates perimeter and prints it in console.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 1. Chapter 3
toggle bottom row

bookArguments

In Python, function arguments are the inputs you provide to a function when you call it. They allow you to supply data or values that the function can utilize. These arguments can be individual values or objects like lists, tuples, dictionaries, or custom objects.

For example, when we use the print() function, we provide a string as an argument. Here's another example:

Suppose we want to write a function that calculates the sum of two different numbers and prints the result. To achieve this, we need to pass these two numbers to the function using parentheses ().


              
123456789

            
# Specify two arguments of the function
def sum_of_two_numbers(num_1, num_2):
	# Use arguments to calculate sum
	result = num_1 + num_2
    # Print the result
	print(f'Sum of two numbers is {result}')
 
# Call the function 
sum_of_two_numbers(2, 10)
copy

We have passed num_1 and num_2 as arguments to the function and then used them to calculate the sum. You can set an arbitrary number of function arguments.

Let's consider an example where we use a list as an argument for the function:


              
123456789101112131415

            
# Define the function `calculate_list_sum`
def calculate_list_sum(list):
    # Initialize the total sum to 0
    total = 0
    # Iterate through each number in the list
    for num in list:
        # Add the current number to the total sum
        total += num
    # Print the total sum
    print(total)

# Create a list of numbers
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# Call the function 
calculate_list_sum(my_list)
copy

This code defines a function calculate_list_sum that takes a list of numbers, calculates their sum by adding each number to the total variable, and prints the result. The function is called with the list my_list, containing the numbers [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], and outputs the sum, which is 15.

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

Assume that you have to calculate perimeter of the triangle with sides a, b and c. Write the function with calculates perimeter and prints it in console.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

In Python, function arguments are the inputs you provide to a function when you call it. They allow you to supply data or values that the function can utilize. These arguments can be individual values or objects like lists, tuples, dictionaries, or custom objects.

For example, when we use the print() function, we provide a string as an argument. Here's another example:

Suppose we want to write a function that calculates the sum of two different numbers and prints the result. To achieve this, we need to pass these two numbers to the function using parentheses ().


              
123456789

            
# Specify two arguments of the function
def sum_of_two_numbers(num_1, num_2):
	# Use arguments to calculate sum
	result = num_1 + num_2
    # Print the result
	print(f'Sum of two numbers is {result}')
 
# Call the function 
sum_of_two_numbers(2, 10)
copy

We have passed num_1 and num_2 as arguments to the function and then used them to calculate the sum. You can set an arbitrary number of function arguments.

Let's consider an example where we use a list as an argument for the function:


              
123456789101112131415

            
# Define the function `calculate_list_sum`
def calculate_list_sum(list):
    # Initialize the total sum to 0
    total = 0
    # Iterate through each number in the list
    for num in list:
        # Add the current number to the total sum
        total += num
    # Print the total sum
    print(total)

# Create a list of numbers
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# Call the function 
calculate_list_sum(my_list)
copy

This code defines a function calculate_list_sum that takes a list of numbers, calculates their sum by adding each number to the total variable, and prints the result. The function is called with the list my_list, containing the numbers [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], and outputs the sum, which is 15.

Task
test

Swipe to show code editor

Assume that you have to calculate perimeter of the triangle with sides a, b and c. Write the function with calculates perimeter and prints it in console.

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Section 1. Chapter 3
Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
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