Top Python Functions : A Complete Beginners Guide

Python Functions

Python Functions

Introduction To Python Functions

In today’s fast-paced IT world, it is always an advantage to have an edge over the others in terms of in-depth knowledge of a certain technology. Python is a widely used language and provides ‘n’ number of opportunities to enthusiastic learners. Learning to use the functions in Python in the right way is a notable skill for any Python Developer.

In this Python Functions blog, the goal is to get you the expertise required to get started and work with functions using Python. I will be covering the following topics in this Python Functions blog:

Why Need Python Functions?

What are Python Functions?

Types of Python Functions

Built-in Functions in Python

Python Recursive Function

Python Lambda Function

User-defined Functions in Python

Python Functions Tutorial | Working With Functions In Python |

This video covers all the important aspects of functions in Python right from the introduction to what functions are, all the way till checking out the major functions and using the code-first approach to understand them better.

Let us begin this Python Functions blog by first checking out why we need Python Functions.

Why We Need Python Functions?

Functions manage the inputs and outputs in computer programs. Python Programming languages are designed to work on data and functions are an effective way to manage and transform this data.

The modifications are generally done to drive outcomes like performing tasks and finding results. And, the set of operations or instructions required to do so comes from logically functional blocks of code that can be reused independently from the main program.

In fact, the main code is also a function, just a very important one at that. Every other function is logically aligned and maintained to functionally execute from your main code. But, if the function has not been defined previously, you’ll just have to define one yourself before using it. This is because the definition lists the steps of its operation.

Python Functions Example - Python Functions - Edureka

Would you rather write a single piece of code 10 times or just once and use it 10 times?

So, functions are nothing but tasks that a user wants to perform. But, defining it once with a name will let you reuse that functionality without making your main programs look too scary. This drastically reduces lines of code and even make debugging easier.

We’ll be getting into that shortly, but the first reason behind why use a function is because of its reusability. The fact that even complex operations could be put together as singular tasks that would run with just a call by its name is what has made computer codes of today so much clearer as well.

Every programming language lets you create and use these functions to perform various tasks with just a call. And, you could call it any number of times without having to worry about logically structuring its code into your main code every single time.

Let’s try and understand their need to us through a simple example first.

Python Functions Example - Python Functions - EdurekaSay, you have a television that stores many channels on it, receives their digital radio broadcasts, converts them into what we watch, while also giving us additional options for a variety of other features as well.

But that doesn’t mean there is someone logically scripting the lines of codes for what you watch every time you turn on your tv or flip a channel. Rather, functions for each task in its working have been logically defined once and keep getting reused time and again according to the features you try to use.

All of it happens by calling its different functions as many times as needed from the main function that is running. So, even if you’re turning the volume up or down, its defined function is being called repeatedly.

And, having a system operating the main code to keep calling these functions as and when needed has also made designing and innovating upon it all the easier.

The important thing to note is that whenever this function is called, it executes its tasks depending on the instructions specified in it.

That’s how machines can have different functions. A calculator is probably the most common example of this. It has the provision of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other functions. All its functions have been clearly predefined into it, but it only performs those that you choose to call by pressing its respective button.

Programmers reduce coding time and debugging time, thereby reducing overall development time, by using functions.

Next up on this Python Functions blog, let us look at what the Python Functions actually are.

What Are Python Functions?

The functions in Python are a classic example of such reusability. So, to serve a wide range of applications from GUI and mathematical computing to web development and testing, Python’s interpreter already comes equipped with numerous functions that are always available for use. And, you could also bring in other libraries or modules to your program that contain pre-defined functions readily available for use.

All you’ll really have to do is download required packages that according to their documentation and freely avail all its useful functionalities by just importing them over to your code.

So, once defined, a function can be used any number of times at any point in any of your codes. Now, this is because Python falls in-line with the DRY principle of software engineering, which aims to replace any repetition of software patterns or codes with abstractions to avoid redundancy and ensure that they can be used freely without revealing any inner details on their implementations.

DRY expands to Don’t Repeat Yourself and this concept of having re-usable blocks of codes is very crucial for achieving abstraction in Python. Thus, in order to use a function all that you’ll really need is its name, its purpose, its arguments if it takes any and its result’s type if it returns any.

It’s almost like using an automobile or a telephone, where you don’t necessarily need to understand the working of its components to use them. Rather, they’ve been already built to serve common purposes that you can just use directly to achieve your goals and devote your precious time to implementing all the innovative aspects of your application program. And, nobody really wants to know how a function in your program works on the inside, as long as it does the job.

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