Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

m0rb1d · Dec 7th, 2006, 9:32 AM

Heh, I seem to be all over this forum, causing myself no end of confusion trying to find a language I can bear with. Given enough time I"ll find my niche, and only be in one forum; this is the goal anyway.

Furthermore, the same people keep answering my questions, so, as before, if you can keep your annoyance level to a minimum, I"ll get less abrasive eventually.

Anyway, looking over, yes, another online tutorial, I need a little clarification. I've come to the section on declaring functions, and the given example sort of throws me. It is as follows: ( with the text from the tutorial )

The program seems a little repetitive. (Programmers hate to repeat things (That's what computers are for aren't they?)) Fortunately Python allows you to create functions to remove duplication. Here is the rewritten example:

(Toggle Plain Text)

a = 23
b = -23

def my_abs(num):
    if num < 0:
        num = -num
    return num

if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b):
    print "The absolute values of", a,"and",b,"are equal"
else:
    print "The absolute values of a and b are different"

I understand what it's doing, but now the how of it. Is code with Python not sequential? What's causing the confusion is the

(Toggle Plain Text)

def my_abs(num):
   if num < 0:
       num = -num
   return num

I see nothing declaring what (num) is. Does it get the value from the

(Toggle Plain Text)

if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b):

Because, it seems, following the code line by line, that the program wouldn't know what to do with the if num < 0:.

Dec 7th, 2006, 9:32 AM	#1
m0rb1d Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 19 Rep Power: 0	Defining a Function Heh, I seem to be all over this forum, causing myself no end of confusion trying to find a language I can bear with. Given enough time I"ll find my niche, and only be in one forum; this is the goal anyway. Furthermore, the same people keep answering my questions, so, as before, if you can keep your annoyance level to a minimum, I"ll get less abrasive eventually. Anyway, looking over, yes, another online tutorial, I need a little clarification. I've come to the section on declaring functions, and the given example sort of throws me. It is as follows: ( with the text from the tutorial ) The program seems a little repetitive. (Programmers hate to repeat things (That's what computers are for aren't they?)) Fortunately Python allows you to create functions to remove duplication. Here is the rewritten example: (Toggle Plain Text) a = 23 b = -23 def my_abs(num): if num < 0: num = -num return num if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b): print "The absolute values of", a,"and",b,"are equal" else: print "The absolute values of a and b are different" a = 23 b = -23 def my_abs(num): if num < 0: num = -num return num if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b): print "The absolute values of", a,"and",b,"are equal" else: print "The absolute values of a and b are different" I understand what it's doing, but now the how of it. Is code with Python not sequential? What's causing the confusion is the (Toggle Plain Text) def my_abs(num): if num < 0: num = -num return num def my_abs(num): if num < 0: num = -num return num I see nothing declaring what (num) is. Does it get the value from the (Toggle Plain Text) if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b): if my_abs(a) == my_abs(b): Because, it seems, following the code line by line, that the program wouldn't know what to do with the if num < 0:.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Compiling Maverik 6.2 (from C)	megamind5005	C	16	May 3rd, 2006 5:41 PM
libraries	matko	C	1	Jan 22nd, 2006 2:12 PM
Php Postgresql Class	Pizentios	Show Off Your Open Source Projects	15	Jun 28th, 2005 9:55 AM
Jackpot game	zorin	Visual Basic	3	Jun 10th, 2005 1:19 PM
airport Log program using 3D linked List : problem reading from file	gemini_shooter	C++	0	Mar 2nd, 2005 4:12 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Defining a Function