Creative Programming

Spring 2025
CUL1122 Lecture #04
Functions in Python
Today

❖Functions
▪ Importance of Functions
▪ Parameters and Return Values
▪ Function Calls and Return Values
▪ Scope of Variables

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Basic Idea of Functions

❖A function is a code block to perform specific tasks within a program.

▪ It is similar to a machine that receives input data, processes it, and produces a
result.
▪ For example, when you put laundry and detergent into a washing machine, you
receive clean laundry after it runs.
▪ Similarly, when 1) input data is provided to a function
and a task is requested, 2) the function performs
calculations and 3) returns the result.
2 0 10
x x x
x2 x2 x2

4 0 100 4
Mathematical Functions vs. Functions in Computer Programs

❖In mathematics, functions are either used from existing ones or defined
anew.
▪ Using existing functions: sine, cosine, etc.
▪ Defining new functions: f(x) = x2 + 2x + 1
❖Functions in computer programs
▪ Functions are written using programming languages.
▪ They encapsulate ideas for computation to solve problems and are assigned a
name.

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Importance of Functions

❖1) Modularization: Allows for devising solutions at a higher level

without worrying about the underlying details.
▪ Would anyone want to think about calculating square roots within the complex
computation below?
r = (sqrt(250+110*sqrt(5))/20)*E

❖2) Reusability: Enables problem-solving without the need to write new

code each time, allowing for the reuse of existing functions.
❖3) Development Efficiency: Makes programs more concise and easier to
understand, facilitating error detection and modification.

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Reusability of Functions

When Not Using Functions When Using Functions

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Defining a Python Function

❖The function declaration consists of the function name on the first line,
followed by the function body.

def name(parameters): # Function name is the identifier used to call the function
# Parameters are a list of inputs passed to the function
code # Function body must be indented
code Function # Function body is executed each time the function is called
… Body
return value # ‘return’ ends the function call and sends result back to the caller
# You can omit the ‘return’ if you want to return nothing

: Indentation

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Arguments and Return Values

❖Arguments: The buyer specifies the tier and cake type.

❖Return Values: The baker makes and delivers the requested cake.

bake_cake( tiers
1-tier , flavor
‘Cheese’ )

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Arguments and Return Values

❖If you want a 4-tier chocolate cake?

bake_cake( tiers
4-tier , flavor
‘Choco’ )

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Function Call and Result Passing

Calling a function
3- with arguments
bake_cake( tiers
3-tier flavor )
, ti ‘Cheese’)
er 3-tier ‘Cheese’
bake_cake

‘Cheese’

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Function Call and Result Passing

Calling a function
3- with arguments
bake_cake( tiers
3-tier flavor )
, ti ‘Cheese’)
er 3-tier ‘Cheese’
bake_cake
Passing return
values
3

“Cheese”

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Parameters vs. Arguments

❖Parameters represent input data defined within a function.

❖Arguments are the actual values passed during function invocation and
are assigned to the parameters.
❖In the given function, the arguments (1, 5) correspond to the
parameters (x, y) in order.
1, 5 Arguments def sqrt(x, y):
x, y result = x2 + y2
return result
sqrt(x, y) = x2 + y2 x, y: Parameters square_sum = sqrt(1, 5)

26 Return value
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Function Execution Order

❖1) Call the function with arguments.

Python Script
❖2) Assign the arguments to the parameters. Function
sqrt(x, y)
❖3) Execute the function and generate return values.
❖4) If there is a return value, end the function with a
result = x2 + y2
return statement.
def sqrt(x, y): ②
❖5) If there is no return value, result = x2 + y2 ③
continue execution until the return result ④, ⑤
end and terminate the function.
square_sum = sqrt(1, 5) ①

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Scope of Variables: Types
❖1) Local Variables
▪ Valid only within the function.
▪ Created upon function call and disappear when the function ends.
❖2) Global Variables
▪ Valid throughout the script (or program).
▪ Created at the start of the program and cease to exist when the program ends.
❖Example:
▪ Global Variable: A person known throughout the country, such as Elon Musk.
▪ A person who is well-known in a specific local area, such as Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
➢He is famous in Korea but may not be recognized outside of the country.

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Scope of Variables: Access Error

❖The local variable is only valid within the function; therefore,

attempting to access it from outside the function will result in an error.

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Scope of Variables: Priority

❖When global and local variables share the same name, each operates
within its own scope hierarchy.

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Scope of Variables: Accessing Global Variables

❖Global variables can be accessed and modified within functions by

using the global keyword.

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Lab 4
Today

❖1) Using a Calculator

❖2) Converting Temperature
❖3) Calculating Factorials
❖4) Understanding Variable Scope in Python
❖5) Calculating the Total Price
❖6) Assessing Body Mass Index (BMI)
❖7) Playing FizzBuzz

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Exercise #1: Using a Calculator

❖Create a script that defines a function to perform arithmetic operations

(+, -, *, /, //, %) on two integers, calls the function, and displays the
result.
▪ The % operator calculates the remainder of division, and the // operator finds
the integer quotient.

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Exercise #2: Converting Temperature

❖Create a script that defines a function for temperature conversion, calls

the function, and displays the converted temperature.
▪ The function should take a temperature type (C or F) and a temperature value
as input, perform the conversion, and return the converted temperature.
▪ The formulas are as follows:
➢F = 1.8 * C + 32
➢C = (F - 32) / 1.8

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Exercise #3: Calculating Factorials

❖Create a script that defines a function to calculate the factorial of a

number (N) according to the following rule, then call the function and
display the output:
▪ 1) N = 1: 1! = 1
▪ 2) N > 1: N! = N * (N-1)!

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Exercise #4: Understanding Variable Scope in Python

❖Create a script that defines both a global variable and a local variable
within a function to explore how variable scope works in Python.
▪ Use the same name, celebrity, for both the global and local variables, assigning
famous names to each.
▪ Test the scope by attempting to access the celebrity variable both inside and
outside the function.

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Exercise #5: Calculating the Total Price

❖Create a script that defines a function to calculate the drink price based
on the order, calls the function, and displays the result.
▪ Declare the total price as a global variable accessible throughout the script.

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Exercise #6: Assessing Body Mass Index (BMI)

❖Create a script to assess body condition using functions.

▪ Define two functions: one for calculating BMI and another for assessing body
condition based on the criteria provided below:

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Exercise #7: Playing FizzBuzz

❖Create a script that defines a function to play FizzBuzz for a given

number, calls the function, and displays the result.
▪ The function should handle the logic according to the following rules and
return the FizzBuzz result:
… 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 …
Fizz Buzz 11 Fizz 13 14 FizzBuzz 16

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수고하셨습니다!

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