Need help with function parameters in Python

[Arameus]

If I have a function such as:

def some_function(function_parameter)
print "stuff"
print "more stuff"

what would function parameter do? I have no understanding of this concept whatsoever. Here is a REAL example of code that uses function parameters, so you understand what I mean: http://inventwithpython.com/hangman.py

halp me

[tgoe]

I don't understand what it is that you're having trouble with

[Defience]

Check out this article written by our very own, "thedotmaster" which explains modules, how to write them, how to import them, etc: http://www.hackthissite.org/articles/read/1056/
or:
http://www.penzilla.net/tutorials/python/functions/

[tgoe]

If you mean passing functions around here is a small example:

Code: Select all

#!/usr/bin/env python

def add2(n):
    return n + 2

def mul2(n):
    return n * 2

def funk(n, op):
    if hasattr(op, '__call__'): #see if object says you can call it
        return op(n)            #treat it like a function
    else:
        return "Second argument must be callable."

print(funk(3, add2)) #you pass a function by its name without '()'
print(funk(3, mul2))
print(funk(3, 3))


[insomaniacal]

It's kind of the equivalent of storing the functions output as a global variable, then calling that global variable in a different function.

[Bren2010]

If I have a function such as:

def some_function(function_parameter)
print "stuff"
print "more stuff"

what would function parameter do? I have no understanding of this concept whatsoever. Here is a REAL example of code that uses function parameters, so you understand what I mean: http://inventwithpython.com/hangman.py

halp me

Function parameters are variables passed into a function for it to work.

You can have something like:

Code: Select all

def hello(name)
    print "Hello "
    print name

Or you can leave the parameters section blank if you don't need any parameters, like:

Code: Select all

def hello()
    print "Hello whoever."

[Arameus]

If I have a function such as:

def some_function(function_parameter)
print "stuff"
print "more stuff"

what would function parameter do? I have no understanding of this concept whatsoever. Here is a REAL example of code that uses function parameters, so you understand what I mean: http://inventwithpython.com/hangman.py

halp me

Function parameters are variables passed into a function for it to work.

You can have something like:

Code: Select all

def hello(name)
    print "Hello "
    print name

Or you can leave the parameters section blank if you don't need any parameters, like:

Code: Select all

def hello()
    print "Hello whoever."

Hmm, I somewhat understand. Could you give me an example of a short program that absolutely requires the use of a function parameter? Sorry for being so needy, but this concept is simply going right over my head. Im a beginner, so make sure the example is super easy haha.

[faazshift]

Hmm, I somewhat understand. Could you give me an example of a short program that absolutely requires the use of a function parameter? Sorry for being so needy, but this concept is simply going right over my head. Im a beginner, so make sure the example is super easy haha.

Do you mean a function that requires a parameter to be given? or do you mean a function that requires a parameter that references a function?

Function required as parameter:

Code: Select all

#!/usr/bin/env python2.6

def somefunct():
    return "Some Text!"

def runfunct(functtorun):
    print functtorun()

runfunct(somefunct)

... which will pass somefunct as the function to run and print the return of. Result will be "Some Text!" being printed to the screen.

Is that what you are looking for?

[Arameus]

thanks guys, figured it out