---
title: Python Functions
description: In Python, A function is a block of organized code that is used to perform a single task.
---

## Function arguments

A function can take `arguments` and `return` values:

In the following example, the function `say_hello()` receives the argument "name" and prints a greeting:

>>> def say_hello(name):
...    print('Hello', name)
...
>>> say_hello('Carlos')
# Hello Carlos

>>> say_hello('Wanda')
# Hello Wanda

>>> say_hello('Rose')
# Hello Rose

The above function does not return any value (implicitly, it returns `None`) and is called **void function**. The following function, on the other hand, returns values and is thus called the **fruitful** function

>>> def my_sum(x,y):
...    "Compute x + y."
...    return x + y
>>> my_sum(1,2)
# 3

## Keyword Arguments
When we define functions, we list the input parameters. These are called positional parameters (or positional arguments) because the position in the `def` statement determines which parameter is which.

>>> def poly(x,y):
...    "Compute x + y**2."
...    return x + y**2
>>> poly(1,2)
# 5
>>> poly(2,1)
# 3

We can set default values for parameters:

>>> def psum(x,y,p=2):
...    return x**p + y**p
>>> psum(1,2)
# 5

To improve code readability, we should be as explicit as possible. We can achieve this in our functions by using `Keyword Arguments`:

>>> def say_hi(name, greeting):
...    print(greeting, name)
...
>>> # with positional arguments
>>> say_hi('John', 'Hello')
# Hello John

>>> # with keyword arguments
>>> say_hi(name='Anna', greeting='Hi')
# Hi Anna

## Return Values

When creating a function using the `def` statement, you can specify what the return value should be with a `return` statement. A return statement consists of the following:

- The `return` keyword.
- The value or expression that the function should return.

>>> def sum_two_numbers(number_1, number_2):
...    return number_1 + number_2
...
>>> result = sum_two_numbers(7, 8)
>>> print(result)
# 15

## Args and Kwargs

`*args` and `**kwargs` allow you to pass an undefined number of arguments and keywords when calling a function.

>>> def some_function(*args, **kwargs):
...     pass
...
>>> # call some_function with any number of arguments
>>> some_function(arg1, arg2, arg3)

>>> # call some_function with any number of keywords
>>> some_function(key1=arg1, key2=arg2, key3=arg3)

>>> # call both, arguments and keywords
>>> some_function(arg, key1=arg1)

>>> # or none
>>> some_function()

:::info
:bulb: You’ll often see the parameter name `**kwargs` used to collect nonspecific keyword arguments. The `**kwargs` must be the rightmost paramter.
:::

## `*args`

Positional arguments through the `*args` variable:

>>> def some_function(*args):
...     print(f'Arguments passed: {args} as {type(args)}')
...
>>> some_function('arg1', 'arg2', 'arg3')
# Arguments passed: ('arg1', 'arg2', 'arg3') as <class 'tuple'>

## `**kwargs`

Keyword arguments are accessed through the `**kwargs` variable:

>>> def some_function(**kwargs):
...     print(f'keywords: {kwargs} as {type(kwargs)}')
...
>>> some_function(key1='arg1', key2='arg2')
# keywords: {'key1': 'arg1', 'key2': 'arg2'} as <class 'dict'>

## Local and Global Scope

- Code in the global scope cannot use any local variables.
- However, a local scope can access global variables.
- Code in a function’s local scope cannot use variables in any other local scope.
- You can use the same name for different variables if they are in different scopes. That is, there can be a local variable named `spam` and a global variable also named `spam`.

global_variable = 'I am available everywhere'

>>> def some_function():
...     print(global_variable)  # because is global
...     local_variable = "only available within this function"
...     print(local_variable)
...
>>> # the following code will throw error because
>>> # 'local_variable' only exists inside 'some_function'
>>> print(local_variable)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 10, in <module>
NameError: name 'local_variable' is not defined

## The `global` Statement

If you need to modify a global variable from within a function, use the global statement:

>>> def spam():
...     global eggs
...     eggs = 'spam'
...
>>> eggs = 'global'
>>> spam()
>>> print(eggs)

There are four rules to tell whether a variable is in a local scope or global scope:

1. If a variable is being used in the global scope (that is, outside all functions), then it is always a global variable.
1. If there is a global statement for that variable in a function, it is a global variable.
1. Otherwise, if the variable is used in an assignment statement in the function, it is a local variable.
1. But if the variable is not used in an assignment statement, it is a global variable.

## Importing a module

To start importing functions, we first need to create a module. **A module is a file ending in `.py` that contains the code you want to import into your program**. Let’s consider a module that contains the function `make_pizza()`.

### Direct import

import pizza

pizza.make_pizza(16, 'pepperoni')
pizza.make_pizza(12, 'mushrooms', 'green peppers', 'extra cheese')

### Importing Specific Functions using `from`

from pizza import make_pizza

make_pizza(16, 'pepperoni')
make_pizza(12, 'mushrooms', 'green peppers', 'extra cheese')

### Using `as` to Give a Function or Module an Alias

from pizza import make_pizza as mp

mp(16, 'pepperoni')
mp(12, 'mushrooms', 'green peppers', 'extra cheese')

### Importing All Functions in a Module

from pizza import *

make_pizza(16, 'pepperoni')
make_pizza(12, 'mushrooms', 'green peppers', 'extra cheese')

:::info
:bulb: However, it’s best not to use this approach when you’re working with larger modules that you didn’t write: if the module has a function name that matches an existing name in your project, you can get unexpected results!
:::