Functions

def my_function(fname):
  print("Hello from a function" + fname)

my_function()

Arguments(args)

A parameter is the variable listed inside the parentheses in the function definition.

An argument is the value that is sent to the function when it is called.

Num of args

1. By default, a function must be called with the correct number of arguments => error
2. Arbitraray Arguments - *args

def my_function(*kids):
  print("The youngest child is " + kids[2])

my_function("Emil", "Tobias", "Linus")

Keyword Arguments

send arguments with the key = value syntax

def my_function(child3, child2, child1):
  print("The youngest child is " + child3)

my_function(child1 = "Emil", child2 = "Tobias", child3 = "Linus")

Note

Keyword Arguments are often shortened to kwargs

Arbitrary Keyword Arguments - **kwargs

If you do not know how many keyword arguments that will be passed into your function. This way the function will receive a dictionary of arguments

def my_function(**kid):
  print("His last name is " + kid["lname"])

my_function(fname = "Tobias", lname = "Refsnes")

Default Parameter

def my_function(country = "Norway"):
  print("I am from " + country)

pass Statement

Python also accepts function recursion

Lambda

A lambda function is a small anonymous function.

A lambda function can take any number of arguments, but can only have one expression

lambda arguments : expression

TIP

Use lambda functions when an anonymous function is required for a short period of time