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Functions will only exist if you or somebody else defines them; it is the only way the language compiler/interpreter knows they exist, therefore it's able to run them when you call them.
To define a function, we need to write this basic code formula:
def my_function_name(parameter1, parameter2, ...parameterX):
# The function code here
return somethingThe word def is a reserved word in Python, this means it is only used to define a function.
The name of the function could be anything you like. Tip: Use a descriptive name (don't be cheap with words, use as many as you need); this way, you will understand what the function does -and returns-.
Example names: add_two_integers, calculate_taxes, get_random_number, etc.
Parameters: You can define as many parameters as you like or need. The amount of parameters will depend on the operations done inside the function. I.E: If the function is adding two integers (a + b) this means the function will need two parameters (one for each integer).
Scope: All the code that the function will contain needs to be indented one tab to the right, anything on a different indentation won't be considered as part of the function. This is called the scope, and it could be local (inside the function) and global (outside the function).
The Return: not every function needs to return something, but it is recommended that it does. Tip: returning None is a good default for when you still don't know if you need to return something.
Example of a function:
def concatenate_number_to_string(local_number, local_string):
local_variable = local_string + str(local_number)
return local_variable-
Define a function called
multi. -
The
multifunction receives two numbers. -
Return the result of the multiplication between them.
- Remember to add the
returnline. Every function should return something, in this case, it should be the result of the multiplication.