Lecture 5 – Functions in Python.

BBT 4211 - BCOM – Kurui Daniel

Content

• What are functions?

• Why do we use functions?
• How to declare a function in Python
• Calling/invoking a function in python

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What is a function?

• A function is a group of statements that together perform a task.

• You can divide up your code into separate functions.
• How you divide up your code among different functions is up to you, but
logically the division usually is such that each function performs a specific
task
• As you already know, Python gives you many built-in functions like print(),
etc. but you can also create your own functions. These functions are
called user-defined functions.

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 Why do we use functions?
• Imagine given a task to calculate the
average marks for some students given
some marks.

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Why do we use functions? Cont’d

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Why do we use functions?
We need to define our own functions because of the following:

a) Readability: sqrt(5) is clearer than copy-pasting in an algorithm to compute

the square root

b) Maintainability: To change the algorithm, just change the function (vs

changing it everywhere you ever used it)

c) Code reuse: Lets other people use algorithms you’ve implemented

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Defining a Function in Python

• You can define functions to provide the required functionality. Here are
simple rules to define a function in Python.
• Function blocks begin with the keyword def followed by the function name
and parentheses ( ( ) ).
• Any input parameters or arguments should be placed within these
parentheses. You can also define parameters inside these parentheses.
• The first statement of a function can be an optional statement - the
documentation string of the function or docstring.
• The code block within every function starts with a colon (:) and is indented.
• The statement return [expression] exits a function, optionally passing back an
expression to the caller. A return statement with no arguments is the same as
return None.

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Defining a Function in Python cont’d

• Python function Syntax

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Defining a Function in Python cont’d

• Python function example

• Function name: my_function

• The function prints what is passed in

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Calling/invoking a function in python

• Defining a function only gives it a name, specifies the parameters that are
to be included in the function and structures the blocks of code.
• Once the basic structure of a function is finalized, you can execute it by
calling it from another function or directly from the Python prompt.
• Following is the example to call my_funtion() function

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Our previous problem solution

• We create a function then call it every time we need to get average mark
for our students:

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 The End!

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Lab Exercises

Using functions, write python programs to :

1. find the area and perimeter of :
• Circle
• Rectangle
• Triangle
2. Calculate simple interest of a loan
3. Calculate Compound interest of a Loan
4. Calculate the age of someone given his/her dob

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END
Any Questions?
Thank you!
BBT 4211 - Comp Programming - Kurui Daniel