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Functions

Functions are a way to organize pieces of similar or repeating code. Rather than having to constantly type out the same code, we can put the desired code in a function and call it whenever we want to use it.

Note: The purpose of a function is to help reduce redundant code throughout the program.

Creating a function

Define your function - name & parameters

To make a function in python, we must use the def keyword. This keyword tells the code editor where the function is defined. def is followed by the name of the function. The name of the function is used to call your function from other parts of the program. In order to generalize the function (so that we can use it at multiple places), we might need to send some information to it. This is achieved using parameters. They are placed in between parentheses () and follows right after the name of the function. If no parameters are needed, they can be ignored. The function declaration ends with a colon. The statements that run each time the function is called follow on the next lines. Tabs are very important here, so make sure your code is indented properly. Every indented line after the function definition line (with the exception of comments) will be executed when you call the function.

Here’s what a function looks like:

def functionName(parameter1, parameter2, ...):
    # write some code
    # call this function from other parts
    # of the code useing functionName

Graphic describing the structure of a function

Make sure that the first line of your function always ends with a colon :

Write the function body

In Python, indentation defines which code is controlled by the function. In the example below, in order to call the function sectionA, you must specify 2 parameters, startMeasure and endMeasure. When you call sectionA, the 3 fitMedia function lines are run. The 2 fitMedia function calls at the bottom are outside of the sectionA function body.

#Section A
def sectionA(startMeasure, endMeasure):
    fitMedia(RD_UK_HOUSE__AIRYPAD_1, 1, startMeasure, endMeasure)
    fitMedia(HOUSE_MAIN_BEAT_002, 4, startMeasure, endMeasure)
    fitMedia(HOUSE_ROADS_BASS_001, 5, startMeasure, endMeasure)

 fitMedia(HOUSE_DEEP_CRYSTALCHORD_001, 3, 1, 5)
 fitMedia(HOUSE_DEEP_CRYSTALCHORD_002, 3, 5, 9)

The code that is indented underneath the sectionA function is the code that is executed each time function sectionA is called.

Warning: Since identation is very important in Python, make sure that the body of the function always starts with 2 spaces.

Returning a value

Many times you don’t want to just print the results or perform an action, but you want the function to provide you back with the result of performing the action. To do this, you use the return keyword.

def my_function(x):
    return 5 * x

print(my_function(3)) # prints 15
print(my_function(5)) # prints 25

Using the function - Function call

To call a function, input the name of the function and its parameters wherever you want to execute the function. For example, in order to call function sectionA, we would do something like this:

sectionA(1,9)

In this example, sectionA will be called with startMeasure value as 1 and endMeasure value as 9.

Be careful: When making a function in Python, you must define the function and its contents before it is called. In other words, in the code, you need to put the function declaration above the function call. Otherwise, you will receive a NameError like below. See the following figure for an example: Example showing the function called before the name defintion and the producting NameError

Challenge 1 - Create your own function!

Challenge: Create a function called addNumbers that takes 2 parameters called number1 & number2 and prints the sum on console. Call the function addNumbers with parameters 3 & 5. What is printed on the console?

Challenge 2

Let’s try to create some simple math functions. Create a function called add that takes in two parameters, number1 and number2, and return the sum of the two numbers.

First copy the structure of the triple function. Change the triple function name, and replace the parameter number with number1 and number2, separated with a comma. Both number1 and number2 should be int, and don’t forget to add number1 and number2 together!

To check that your function is working correctly, add the following code after your function definition, which calls the function add() and save its value in a variable. For example:

value2 = add(2, 3)
print("This should print 5: " + str(value2))

Challenge 3

Can you create functions for subtraction, multiplication, and division?

Test the functions out by calling each function, saving its return value, then printing it out to the console.