Computer Science Class 12 Functions

Notes
What is functions in Python

When a single program is divided into small units, it is known as a function. A function is reusable code,
meaning the same function can be used multiple times, function helps to organise the code easily. A function is
a block of code that only executes when called. Functions can accept inputs (arguments) and produce outputs
(return values).

You can define function using “def” keyword in python.

Syntax for defining function –

Explain

def <function name> (<parameters>) :

<statement 1>

<statement 2>

Types of function

In Python, functions are categorised into three types, each having different purposes. The type of function are:

 Built-in functions
 Functions defined in module
 User defined functions
a. Built-in functions

A built-in function is a predefined function like len(), max(), min(), pow() etc. These functions perform
common tasks and are always available for use.

Example,
Q. Program to calculate square of a number using built-in function

num = int(input("Enter a number: "))

sqr = pow(num, 2)

print("The square of", num, "is", sqr)

b. Functions defined in module

A module is like a container which holds pieces of code like functions and variables; this function can be reused
in the program. For example, a module is just like a toolbox. Suppose you have different tools, like functions,
variables, etc. Whenever you require a specific tool, you import the module and use it in your program. Python
offers many built-in modules. Some of the common modules are:

 Math module
 Random module
 Statistics module
c. User defined functions

User-defined functions are the fundamental building block of any programme user-define funcation allow
programmers to write their own function with function name.

Creating User Defined Function

A function definition begins with def (short for define). The syntax for creating a user defined function is as
follows –

Syntax –

def function_name(parameter1, parameter2, ...) :

statement_1

statement_2

statement_3

....

 The items enclosed in “[ ]” are called parameters and they are optional. Hence, a function may or may
not have parameters. Also, a function may or may not return a value.
 Function header always ends with a colon (:).
  Function name should be unique. Rules for naming identifiers also applies for function naming.
 The statements outside the function indentation are not considered as part of the function.
Q. Write a user defined function to add 2 numbers and display their sum.

def addnum():

fnum = int(input("Enter first number: "))

snum = int(input("Enter second number: "))

sum = fnum + snum

print("The sum of ",fnum,"and ",snum,"is ",sum)

#Calling function with function name

addnum()

Output:

Enter first number: 5

Enter second nu

Arguments and Parameters

User-defined function could potentially take values when it is called. A value received in the matching
parameter specified in the function header and sent to the function as an argument.

Q. Write a program using a user defined function that displays sum of first n natural numbers, where n
is passed as an argument.

def sumSquares(n): # 'n' is a parameter

sum = 0

for i in range(1,n+1):
 sum = sum + i

print("The sum of first",n,"natural numbers is: ",sum)

num = int(input("Enter the value for n: "))

sumSquares(num) # 'num' is the argument

Output

Enter the value for n: 10

The sum of first 10 natural numbers is: 55

Q. Write a program using a user defined function myMean() to calculate the mean of floating values
stored in a list.

def myMean(myList):

total = 0

count = 0

for i in myList:

total = total + i

count = count + 1

mean = total/count
 print("The calculated mean is:",mean)

myList = [1.3,2.4,3.5,6.9]

myMean(myList)

Output:

The calculated mean is: 14.100000000000001

Q. Write a program using a user defined function calcFact() to calculate and display the factorial of a
number num passed as an argument.

def calcFact(num):

fact = 1

for i in range(num,0,-1):

fact = fact * i

print("Factorial of",num,"is",fact)

num = int(input("Enter the number: "))

calcFact(num)

Output:

Enter the number: 5

Factorial of 5 is 120
String as Parameters

Some programmes may require the user to supply string values as an argument.

Q. Write a program using a user defined function that accepts the first name and lastname as arguments,
concatenate them to get full name and displays the output as:

def fullname(first,last):

fullname = first + " " + last

print("Hello",fullname)

first = input("Enter first name: ")

last = input("Enter last name: ")

fullname(first,last)

Output

Enter first name: Rajesh

Enter last name: Kumar

Hello Rajesh Kumar

Default Parameter

The argument can be given a default value in Python. When a function call doesn’t have its appropriate
argument, a default value is chosen in advance and given to the parameter.

Q. Write a program that accepts numerator and denominator of a fractional number and calls a user
defined function mixedFraction() when the fraction formed is not a proper fraction. The default value of
denominator is 1. The function displays a mixed fraction only if the fraction formed by the parameters
does not evaluate to a whole number.

def mixedFraction(num,deno = 1):

 remainder = num % deno

if remainder!= 0:

quotient = int(num/deno)

print("The mixed fraction=", quotient,"(",remainder, "/",deno,")")

else:

print("The given fraction evaluates to a whole number")

num = int(input("Enter the numerator: "))

deno = int(input("Enter the denominator: "))

print("You entered:",num,"/",deno)

if num > deno:

mixedFraction(num,deno)

else:

print("It is a proper fraction")

Output

Enter the numerator: 17

Enter the denominator: 2

You entered: 17 / 2

The mixed fraction= 8 ( 1 / 2 )

Positional parameters
Positional parameters are the method of passing arguments to functions in a specific order. Arguments that must
be presented in the right order are known as positional arguments. When calling a function, the first positional
argument must always be listed first, and the second will be second.

Q. Write a program to print the name and age of the user.

def greet(name, age):

print(f"Hello {name}, you are {age} years old!")

age = int(input("Enter the age: "))

greet("Amit", age) # Positional parameters: "Amit" for name, 25 for age

Output:

Enter the age: 21

Hello Amit, you are 21 years old!

Functions Returning Value

The function’s values are returned using the return statement. A function that has finished its duty will return a
value to the script or function that called it.

The return statement does the following –

 returns the control to the calling function.

 return value(s) or None.
Q. Write a program using user defined function calcPow() that accepts base and exponent as arguments
and returns the value Baseexponent where Base and exponent are integers.

def calcpow(number,power):

result = 1

for i in range(1,power+1):

result = result * number

 return result

base = int(input("Enter the value for the Base: "))

expo = int(input("Enter the value for the Exponent: "))

answer = calcpow(base,expo)

print(base,"raised to the power",expo,"is",answer)

Output:

Enter the value for the Base: 5

Enter the value for the Exponent: 4

5 raised to the power 4 is 625

Flow of execution in a function call

The flow of execution refers to the order in which statements are executed during a program run. The program’s
opening statement is where execution always starts. The statements are carried out one at a time, in ascending
order. Although the order in which a programme runs is unaffected by function declarations, keep in mind that
statements inside a function are not performed until the function is called.
Example –
Defining function
def sum(x, y) :

Calling function
sum(a,b)

Where a, b are the values being passed to the function sum().

Scope of a Variable
An internal function variable can’t be accessed from the outside. There is a well defined accessibility for each
variable. The scope of a variable is the area of the programme that the variable is accessible from. A variable
may fall under either of the two scopes listed below:

CBSE Exam, class 12 online courses

Global Variable – A variable that is defined in Python outside of any function or block is referred to as a
global variable. It is accessible from any functions defined afterward.

Local Variable – A local variable is one that is declared inside any function or block. Only the function or
block where it is defined can access it