Python Function

A Python Function is a program function within a Python program.

• Context:
  • It can range from being a Python Built-in Function to being a Python User-defined Function to being a Python Library Function.
  • It can range from being a Python Named Function to being a Python Anonymous Function.
• Example(s):
  • def printme( str ):
    "This prints a passed string into this function"
    print str
    return
  • a Python main() Function.
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • a Perl Function.
• See: Python Data Structure, PointStats.py.

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References

2009

• http://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/python_functions.htm
  • 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.

2006

• http://www.penzilla.net/tutorials/python/functions/
  • Python is a little different from other languages like C/C++ and Java, in that functions are not magic constructs, but values. Yes, functions in Python, are like integers in C. They are simply values and can be passed to other functions/object constructors, and so forth.

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