PYTHON PROGRAMMING:

MODULE 3 – PYTHON FUNCTIONS

Prof J. Noorul Ameen M.E,(Ph.D), EMCAA, MISTE, D.Acu.,
Assistant Professor/CSE
Member – Centre for Technology & Capability Development
E.G.S Pillay Engineering College, Nagapattinam

9150132532
noornilo@gmail.com
Profameencse.weebly.com Noornilo Nafees 1
 MODULE 3 – PYTHON FUNCTIONS
 At the end of this course students can able to
 Understand the concept of function and their

types.
 Know the difference between User defined

and Built in functions.

 Know how to call a function.
 Understand the function arguments.
 Know Anonymous functions.
 Know Mathematical and some String
functions.
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 PYTHON FUNCTIONS
 Functions are named blocks of code that are
designed to do specific job.
 When you want to perform a particular task that you

have defined in a function, you call the name of the

function responsible for it.
 If you need to perform that task multiple times

throughout your program, you don’t need to type all

the code for the same task again and again; you just
call the function dedicated to handling that task, and
the call tells Python to run the code inside the
function.
 Functions makes your programs easier to write, read,

test, and fix errors.

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 Types of functions in Python:
 (a) User defined Functions
 (b) Lambda Functions
 (c) Recursive Functions
 (d) Built in Functions
FUNCTIONS DESCRIPTION
User-defined functions Functions defined by the users themselves.
Built-in functions Functions that are inbuilt with in Python.
Lambda functions Functions that are anonymous un-named function.

Recursive functions Functions that calls itself is known as recursive.

 Advantages of functions:
 It avoids repetition and makes high degree of code
reusing.
 It provides better modularity for your application.
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 Defining Functions: Functions must be defined, to
create and use certain functionality.
 When defining functions there are multiple things that
need to be noted such as:
 Function blocks begin with the keyword “def” followed
by function name and parenthesis ().
 Any input parameters or arguments should be placed
within these parentheses when you define a function.
 The code block always comes after a colon (:) and is
indented.
 The statement “return [expression]” exits a function,
optionally passing back an expression to the caller.
 A “return” with no arguments is the same as return
None.
 Python keywords should not be used as function name.
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 (a) Syntax for User defined function: Functions defined by
 the users themselves.

 def <function_name ([parameter1, parameter2…] )> :

◦ <Block of Statements>
◦ return <expression / None>
 def hello():

◦ print (“hello - Python”)

◦ return
 Calling a Function: When you call the “hello()” function, the

program displays the following string as

 def hello():

◦ print (“hello - Python”)

◦ return
 hello()

 Output:

 hello – Python Noornilo Nafees 6

 Passing Parameters in Functions:
 def function_name (parameter(s) separated by comma):
 The parameters that you place in the parenthesis will be used by the
function itself.
 Here is an example program that defines a function that helps to
pass parameters into the function.
 Example:
 # assume w = 3 and h = 5
 def area(w,h):
◦ return w * h
◦ print (area (3,5))
 The above code assigns the width and height values to the
parameters w and h.
 These parameters are used in the creation of the function “area”.
 When you call the above function, it returns the product of width
and height as output.
 The value of 3 and 5 are passed to w and h respectively, the
function will return 15 as output. Noornilo Nafees 7
 Function Arguments:
 These are used to call a function and there are

primarily 4 types
 (i) Required arguments
 (ii) Keyword arguments
 (iii) Default arguments
 (iv) Variable-length arguments

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 (i) Required arguments: These are the arguments passed to
a function in correct positional order.
 Here, the number of arguments in the function call should
match exactly with the function definition.
 You need at least one parameter to prevent syntax errors
and to get the required output.
 Example :
 def printstring(str):
◦ print ("Example - Required arguments ")
◦ print (str)
◦ return
 # Now you can call printstring() function
 printstring(“Meeran”)
 Output:
Example - Required arguments
 Meeran Noornilo Nafees 9
 (ii) Keyword Arguments: These arguments will invoke the
function after the parameters are recognized by their parameter
names.
 The value of the keyword argument is matched with the
parameter name and so, one can also put arguments in
improper order.
 Example:
 def printdata (name):
◦ print (“Example-1 Keyword arguments”)
◦ print (“Name :”,name)
◦ Return
 printdata(name = “Nilo”)
 Output:
 Example-1 Keyword arguments
 Name : Nilo

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 Example:
 def printdata (name, age):
◦ print ("Example-3 Keyword arguments")
◦ print ("Name :",name)
◦ print ("Age :",age)
◦ return
 # Now you can call printdata() function
 printdata (age=7, name=“Nafees")
 Output:
 Example-2 Keyword arguments
 Name : Nafees
 Age: 7
 In the above program the parameters orders are changed

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 (iii)Default Arguments: In Python the default argument
is an argument that takes a default value if no value is
provided in the function call.
 The following example uses default arguments, that
prints default salary when no argument is passed.
 Example:
 def printinfo( name, salary = 3500):
◦ print (“Name: “, name)
◦ print (“Salary: “, salary)
◦ return
 printinfo(“Noor”)
 Output:
 Name: Noor
 Salary: 3500
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 Example:
 def printinfo( name, salary = 3500):

◦ print (“Name: “, name)

◦ print (“Salary: “, salary)
◦ return
 printinfo(“Nilo,50000”)
 Output:
 Name: Nilo
 Salary: 50000
 In the above code, the value 50000 is passed to the

argument salary, the default value already assigned for

salary 3500 is simply ignored.

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 (iv) Variable-Length Arguments:
 In some instances you might need to pass more

arguments than have already been specified.

 Going back to the function to redefine it can be a

tedious process.
 Variable-Length arguments can be used instead.
 These are not specified in the function’s definition and

an asterisk (*) is used to define such arguments.

 Syntax - Variable-Length Arguments
 def function_name(*args):

◦ function_body
◦ return_statement

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 Example:
 def printnos (*nos):
 for n in nos:
◦ print(n) Output:
Printing two values
◦ return
1
 # now invoking the printnos() function 2
 print ('Printing two values') Printing three values
 printnos (1,2) 10
 print ('Printing three values') 20
 printnos (10,20,30) 30

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 (b) Lambda/Anonymous Functions: In Python,
anonymous function is a function that is defined without
a name.
 While normal functions are defined using the def
keyword, in Python anonymous functions are defined
using the lambda keyword.
 Hence, anonymous functions are also called as lambda
functions.
 What is the use of lambda or anonymous function?
 Lambda function is mostly used for creating small and
one-time anonymous function.
 Lambda function can take any number of arguments and
must return one value in the form of an expression.
 Lambda function can only access global variables and
variables in its parameter list.
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 Syntax of Lambda Functions:
 The syntax for anonymous functions is as follows:
 lambda [argument(s)] :expression
 Example:
 sum = lambda arg1, arg2: arg1 + arg2
 print ('The Sum is :', sum(30,40))
 print ('The Sum is :', sum(-30,40))
 Output:
 The Sum is : 70
 The Sum is : 10

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 The return statement: The return statement causes
your function to exit and returns a value to its caller.
 The point of functions in general is to take inputs and

return something.
 The return statement is used when a function is

ready to return a value to its caller.

 Syntax of return:
 return [expression list ]
 This statement can contain expression which gets

evaluated and the value is returned.

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 Example:
 def usr_abs (n):
◦ if n>=0:
 return n
◦ else:
 return –n
 x=int (input(“Enter a number :”)
 print (usr_abs (x))
 Output 1:
 Enter a number : 25
 25
 Output 2:
 Enter a number : -25
 25

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 (c) Recursive Functions: When a function calls itself is
known as recursion.
 Example:
 def fact(n):
◦ if n == 0:
 return 1
◦ else:
 return n * fact (n-1)
 print (fact (0))
 print (fact (5))
 Output:
 1
 120

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 Built-in and Mathematical functions:
 Functions using libraries:
 1. abs ( )
 Returns an absolute value of a number.

The argument may be an integer or a floating point number.

 Syntax: abs (x)
 Example:
 x=20
 y=-23.2
 print('x = ', abs(x))
 print('y = ', abs(y))
 Output:
 x = 20
 y = 23.2
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 2. ord ( )
 Returns the ASCII value for the given Unicode

character.
 This function is inverse of chr() function.
 Syntax: ord (c)
 Example:
 c= 'a'
 d= 'A'
 print ('c = ',ord (c))
 print ('A = ',ord (d))
 Output:
 c = 97
 A = 65
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 3. chr ( )
 Returns the Unicode character for the given ASCII

value.
 This function is inverse of ord() function.
 Syntax: chr (i)
 Example:
 c=65
 d=43
 print (chr (c))
 print(chr (d))
 Output:
 A
 +
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 4. bin ( )
 Returns a binary string prefixed with “0b” for the

given integer number.

 Note: format() can also be used instead of this

function.
 Syntax: bin(i)
 Example:
 x=15
 y=101
 print ('15 in binary : ',bin (x))
 print ('101 in binary : ',bin (y))
 Output:
 15 in binary : 0b1111
 101 in binary : 0b1100101
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 5. type ( )
 Returns the type of object for the given single object.
 This function used with single object parameter.
 Syntax: type(object)
 Example:
 x= 15.2
 y= 'a'
 s= True
 print (type (x))
 print (type (y))
 print (type (s))
 Output:
 <class 'float'>
 <class 'str'>
 <class 'bool'>
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 6. id ( )
 id( ) return the the address of the object in memory.
 Syntax: id(object)
 Example:
 x=15
 y='a'
 print (‘Address of x is :',id (x))
 print (‘Address of y is :',id (y))
 Output:
 Address of x is : 1357486752
 Address of y is : 13480736

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 7. min ( )
 Returns the minimum value in a list.
 Syntax: min(list)
 Example:
 MyList = [21,76,98,23]
 print ('Minimum of MyList :', min(MyList))
 Output:
 Minimum of MyList : 21

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 8. max ( )
 Returns the maximum value in a list.
 Syntax: max(list)
 Example:
 MyList = [21,76,98,23]
 print ('Maximum of MyList :', max(MyList))
 Output:
 Minimum of MyList : 98

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 9. sum ( )
 Returns the sum of values in a list.
 Syntax: sum(list)
 Example:
 MyList = [21,76,98,23]
 print (‘Sum of MyList :', sum(MyList))
 Output:
 Sum of MyList : 218

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 10. format() Returns the output based on the given
format
 a. Binary format: Outputs the number in base 2.
 b. Octal format: Outputs the number in base 8.
 c. Fixed-point notation: Displays the number as a

fixed-point number.
 The default precision is 6.
 Syntax: format (value, [format_spec])

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 Example:
 x= 14
 y= 25
 print ('x value in binary :',format(x,'b'))
 print ('y value in octal :',format(y,'o'))
 print('y value in Fixed-point no ',format(y,'f '))
 Output:
 x value in binary : 1110
 y value in octal : 31
 y value in Fixed-point no : 25.000000

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 11. round ( ) Returns the nearest integer to its input.
 First argument (number)is used to specify the value

to be rounded.
 Second argument is used to specify the number of

decimal digits desired after rounding.

 Syntax: round(number,[ndigits])

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 Example:
 x= 17.9
 y= 22.2
 z= -18.3
 print ('x value is rounded to', round (x))
 print ('y value is rounded to', round (y))
 print ('z value is rounded to', round (z))
 Output:
 x value is rounded to 18
 y value is rounded to 22
 z value is rounded to -18

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 Example:
 n1=17.89
 print (round (n1,0))
 print (round (n1,1))
 print (round (n1,2))
 Output:
 18.0
 17.9
 17.89

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 12. pow()
 Returns the computation of ab i.e. (a**b )
 a raised to the power of b.
 Syntax: pow(a,b)
 Example:
 a= 5
 b= 2
 c= 3.0
 print (pow (a,b))
 print (pow (a,c))
 print (pow (a+b,3))
 Output:
 25
 125.0
 343
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 13. floor() Returns the largest integer less than or equal to x
 Syntax: math.floor (x)
 Example:
 import math
 x=26.7
 y=-26.7
 z=-23.2
 print (math.floor (x))
 print (math.floor (y))
 print (math.floor (z))
 Output:
 26
 -27
 -24
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 14. ceil ( ) Returns the smallest integer greater than or equal to x
 Syntax: math.ceil (x)
 Example:
 import math
 x= 26.7
 y= -26.7
 z= -23.2
 print (math.ceil (x))
 print (math.ceil (y))
 print (math.ceil (z))
 Output:
 27
 -26
 -23

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 15. sqrt ( ) Returns the square root of x
 Syntax: sqrt (x)
 Example:
 import math
 a= 30
 b= 49
 c= 25.5
 print (math.sqrt (a))
 print (math.sqrt (b))
 print (math.sqrt (c))
 Output:
 5.477225575051661
 7.0
 5.049752469181039
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 Composition in functions: The value returned by a function
may be used as an argument for another function in a nested
manner. This is called composition.
 For example, if we wish to take a numeric value or an
expression as a input from the user, we take the input string
from the user using the function input() and apply eval()
function to evaluate its value, for example:
 # This program explains composition
 >>> n1 = eval (input ("Enter a number: "))
 Enter a number: 234
 >>> n1
 234
 >>> n2 = eval (input ("Enter an arithmetic expression: "))
 Enter an arithmetic expression: 12.0+13.0 * 2
 >>> n2
 38.0
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 Scope of Variables: It refers to the part of the program,
where it is accessible.
 Types of scopes:
 (a) Local scope
 (b) Global scope
 (a) Local scope: A variable declared inside the function's
body or in the local scope is known as local variable.
 Rules of local variable:
 A variable with local scope can be accessed only within
the function/block that it is created in.
 When a variable is created inside the function/block, the
variable becomes local to it.
 A local variable only exists while the function is
executing.
 The formal arguments are also local to function.
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 Example: Local Variable
 def loc():

◦ y=0 # local scope

◦ print(y)
 loc()
 Output:
 0

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 Global Scope: A variable, with global scope can be
used anywhere in the program.
 It can be created by defining a variable outside the

scope of any function/block.

 Rules of global Keyword:
 The basic rules for global keyword in Python are:
 When we define a variable outside a function, it’s

global by default. You don’t have to use global

keyword.
 We use global keyword to read and write a global

variable inside a function.

 Use of global keyword outside a function has no

effect
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 Example: Accessing global Variable From Inside a
Function
 c = 1 # global variable
 def add():

◦ print(c)
 add()
 Output:
 1

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 Modifying Global Variable From Inside the Function:
 Without using the global keyword we cannot modify

the global variable inside the function but we can only

access the global variable.
 x = 0 # global variable
 def add():

◦ global x
◦ x = x + 5 # increment by 2
◦ print ("Inside add() function x value is :", x)
 add()
 Output:
 Inside add() function x value is : 5

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 Global variable and Local variable with same name:
 x=5
 def loc():
◦ x = 10
◦ print ("local x:", x)
 loc()
 print ("global x:", x)
 Output:
 local x: 10
 global x: 5
 In above code, we used same name ‘x’ for both global
variable and local variable.
 We will get different result when we print same variable,
because the variable is declared in both scopes, i.e. the local
scope inside the function loc() and global scope
outside the function loc(). Noornilo Nafees 45
 Points to remember:
 Functions are named blocks of code that are designed to do
one specific job.
 Types of Functions are User defined, Built-in, lambda and
recursion.
 Function blocks begin with the keyword “def ” followed by
function name and parenthesis ().
 A “return” with no arguments is the same as return None.
 Return statement is optional in python.
 In Python, statements in a block should begin with
indentation.
 A block within a block is called nested block.
 Arguments are used to call a function and there are
primarily 4 types of functions that one can use: Required
arguments, Keyword arguments, Default arguments and
Variable-length arguments. Noornilo Nafees 46
 Required arguments are the arguments passed to a
function in correct positional order.
 Keyword arguments will invoke the function after the

parameters are recognized by their parameter

names.
 A Python function allows to give the default values

for parameters in the function definition. We call it

as Default argument.
 Variable-Length arguments are not specified in the

function’s definition and an asterisk (*) is used to

define such arguments.
 Anonymous Function is a function that is defined

without a name.
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 Scope of variable refers to the part of the program,
where it is accessible, i.e., area where you can refer
(use) it.
 The value returned by a function may be used as an

argument for another function in a nested manner.

This is called composition.
 A function which calls itself is known as recursion.

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 Module 3 Quiz:
 A named blocks of code that are designed to do one specific job is called as
 (a) Loop (b) Branching
 (c) Function (d) Block
 2. A Function which calls itself is called as
 (a) Built-in (b) Recursion
 (c) Lambda (d) return
 3. Which function is called anonymous un-named function
 (a) Lambda (b) Recursion
 (c) Function (d) define
 4. Which of the following keyword is used to begin the function block?
 (a) define (b) for
 (c) finally (d) def
 5. Which of the following keyword is used to exit a function block?
 (a) define (b) return
 (c) finally (d) def
 6. While defining a function which of the following symbol is used.
 (a) ; (semicolon) (b) . (dot)
 (c) : (colon) (d) $ (dollar) Noornilo Nafees 49
 7. In which arguments the correct positional order is passed to a
function?
 (a) Required (b) Keyword
 (c) Default (d) Variable-length
 8. Read the following statement and choose the correct statement(s).
 (I) In Python, you don’t have to mention the specific data types while
defining
 function.
 (II) Python keywords can be used as function name.
 (a) I is correct and II is wrong
 (b) Both are correct
 (c) I is wrong and II is correct
 (d) Both are wrong
 9. Pick the correct one to execute the given statement successfully.
 if ____ : print(x, " is a leap year")
 (a) x%2=0 (b) x%4==0
 (c) x/4=0 (d) None of the above
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 Which of the following keyword is used to define the
function testpython(): ?
 (a) define (b) pass
 (c) def (d) while

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 Hands on:
 1. Evaluate the following functions and write the

output.
 1. eval(‘25*2-5*4')
 2. math.sqrt(abs(-81))
 3. math.ceil(3.5+4.6)
 4. math.floor(3.5+4.6)

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 2. Valuate the following functions and write the output.
 1) abs(-25+12.0))
 2) abs(-3.2)
 3) ord('2')
 4) ord('$')
 5) type('s')
 6) bin(16)
 7) chr(13)
 8) print(chr(13))
 9) round(18.2,1)
 10) round(18.2,0)
 11) round(0.5100,3)
 12) round(0.5120,3)

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 3. Valuate the following functions and write the output.
 1)format(66, 'c')
 2) format(10, 'x')
 3) format(10, 'X')
 4) format(0b110, 'd')
 5) format(0xa, 'd')
 4. Valuate the following functions and write the output.
 1) pow(2,-3)
 2) pow(2,3.0)
 3) pow(2,0)
 4) pow((1+2),2)
 5) pow(-3,2)
 6) pow(2*2,2)
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