Python Strings and Functions Basics

Accessing Strings

• Strings can be accessed using indexing, with the first character at index 0.
• Negative indexing allows access from the end of the string, with -1 representing the last character.

Basic Operations

• Concatenation combines strings using the + operator.
• Repetition duplicates strings using the * operator.
• Comparison operators can be used to compare strings lexicographically.

String Slices

• Slicing extracts a portion of a string using the syntax string[start:end].
• The start index is inclusive, while the end index is exclusive.
• Omitting start defaults to the beginning of the string, and omitting end defaults to the end.

Functions

• Functions are defined using the def keyword followed by a function name and parentheses.
• Functions can take parameters to accept input values for processing.
• Functions are called by using their name followed by parentheses, possibly including arguments.

Types of Functions

• Built-in functions are provided by the Python language, such as print() and len().
• User-defined functions are created by the user to perform specific tasks.

Function Arguments

• Positional arguments are passed based on their position in the function call.
• Keyword arguments specify the parameter name and value, providing clearer function calls.
• Default arguments allow parameters to be assigned a value if no argument is provided during the call.

Anonymous Functions

• Anonymous functions, or lambda functions, are defined using the lambda keyword.
• They are typically used for short, throwaway functions, returning a value based on provided arguments.

Global and Local Variables

• Global variables are defined outside any function and can be accessed throughout the program.
• Local variables are defined within a function and can only be accessed within that function.
• The global keyword is used within a function to modify a global variable.

Test your knowledge on basic string operations and functions in Python. This quiz covers string slicing, function definitions, calling functions, and understanding local and global variables. Additionally, it explores anonymous functions and function arguments.