In Python, a function is a reusable block of code that performs a specific task or set of tasks. Functions help in organizing code into modular units, making it more readable, maintainable, and reusable. They play a crucial role in structuring programs and promoting the concept of code reusability.
Here is the basic syntax of a function in Python:
def function_name(parameters):
# code block
# ...
return result # optional
def
: This keyword is used to define a function.function_name
: It is the identifier for the function, by which you can call and reference it.parameters
: These are variables that the function can accept as input (optional).code block
: This is the set of instructions or statements that the function executes when called.return
: This keyword is used to specify the value that the function should return (optional).Here's a simple example of a function that adds two numbers:
def add_numbers(a, b):
result = a + b
return result
# Calling the function
sum_result = add_numbers(3, 4)
print(sum_result) # Output: 7
In this example, add_numbers
is the function name, and it takes two parameters (a
and b
). Inside the function, it calculates the sum of a
and b
and returns the result. The function is then called with arguments 3
and 4
, and the result is printed.
Functions can have various use cases, and they are a fundamental building block in Python programming. They can be defined with or without parameters, and they can return values or perform tasks without returning anything.
Thank you.