Defining and Calling Functions in Python
Python is known for its simplicity and readability, and one of the ways it achieves this is through the use of functions. Functions in Python allow you to reuse code, making your programs shorter, easier to read, and more organized. In this article, we will explore how to define and call functions in Python.
Defining Functions:
A function in Python is defined using the 'def' keyword followed by the name of the function, parentheses, and a colon. The code block that follows is the body of the function, and it is indented to indicate that it is part of the function.
Here is a simple example of a function that takes two arguments and returns their sum:
def add_numbers(x, y): result = x + y return result
In this example, we have defined a function named 'add_numbers' that takes two arguments, 'x' and 'y'. The function adds these two numbers together and returns the result.
Calling Functions:
Once you have defined a function, you can call it from another part of your program. To call a function, you simply type its name followed by parentheses containing any arguments that the function requires.
Here is an example of how to call the 'add_numbers' function we defined earlier:
sum = add_numbers(3, 5) print(sum)
In this example, we are calling the 'add_numbers' function and passing in the arguments '3' and '5'. The function returns the sum of these two numbers, which we then store in a variable called 'sum'. We then print the value of 'sum' to the console.
Conclusion:
Functions are an essential part of programming in Python. They allow you to reuse code, make your programs more organized, and save time. By following the simple syntax for defining and calling functions, you can create powerful and efficient programs in Python.