Python Functions

Functions

A function is a block of statements. It is a unit of reusable code. Function is defined by using the def keyword and followed by function name.

Function definition

def myFunction(args):
        set of statements can be indented equally.

Function call

functionname(args);  

def findMax (a, b):
	if a > b:
		return a
	else:
		return b
x = findMax (5,6)
y = findMax (8,7)
print(x)
print(y)

Output
6
8

Function with multiple returns values

In python function can return a more than one values also.

def getValues ():
	radius = 2.0;
	center = [0.0,0.0,10]
	return radius, center

output = getValues() 
radius, points = getValues()
print(output)
print(radius,points)

Output
(2.0, [0.0, 0.0, 10])
2.0 [0.0, 0.0, 10]

Function with Default arguments

Function can have an argument, but it is optional to pass a function.

def getMinElemSize (avgElemSize = 2):
	return avgElemSize/10

x = getMinElemSize (4)
y = getMinElemSize () # if argument is not passed, it considers default is 2

print(x)
print(y)

Output
0.4
0.2