Programming Functions Basics

Basic Syntax Rules

• In Python, function calls are made by referring to the function name followed by parentheses containing necessary arguments, separated by commas.
• The value returned by the function can be assigned to a variable.

Data Types and Operators

• A data type determines the type of value and the operations that can be performed on it.
• All objects have a data type.
• Operators are symbols used to perform specific functions or computations.
• Input functions (input()) allow users to input values into the program, with a prompt as a string.
• The user's response is returned as a string and can be converted to another data type using functions like int().
• Print functions (print()) output strings to users and can take any type as a parameter, automatically converting it to a string.

Understanding Mutable and Immutable Data Types in Python

• The three ways to create integer literals are similar to techniques for creating float literals.
• E notation is used to create a float literal, similar to exponential notation used by calculators.

Functions

• A function is equivalent to a static method in Java.
• Functions have a syntax definition (def name():) and must be declared above the 'main' code.
• Statements inside the function must be indented.
• A function can be called multiple times from the main code.

Whitespace Significance

• Python uses indentation to indicate blocks, making the code simpler and more readable.
• In Python, indenting is required, unlike Java where it is optional.

Variables

• A variable is a reference to a value stored in a computer's memory.
• Variables can be categorized into data types such as numbers, Boolean values, and sequences.
• All variables are objects, although some objects can be defined by multiple variables.
• Methods are functions used to act on or alter an object's data.

Basic Syntax Rules (continued)

• Variable names are typically in camel case, with the first word starting with a lowercase letter and subsequent words capitalized.
• Variable names can also be in snake case, with all words in lowercase and underscores between words.
• The assignment operator (=) sets the variable name equal to the memory location of the value.
• The type of the value does not need to be stated, but its format must abide by a given object type.