A User-Defined Function (UDF) is a function created by the user to perform specific tasks in a program. Unlikebuilt-in functions provided by a programming language, UDFs allow for customization and code reusability, improving program structure and efficiency.
Example:
Python# function definationdeffun(x):if(x%2==0):print("even")else:print("odd")fun(2)# function calling
Explanation: fun(x) checks if a number is even or odd using x % 2. If divisible by 2, it prints "even", otherwise "odd".
Syntax of User defined Functions
Function Defination:
def function_name(parameters):
# Function body
return result
Function call:
function_name(arguments)
Types of Users defined functions
1. Parameterized Functions
These functions accept parameters (arguments) to process and return results dynamically. Parameters allow for flexibility, enabling the function to handle different inputs each time it is called.
Python# function definitiondeffun(name):print("Hello,",name)# function callfun("shakshi")
Explanation: fun(name) prints a greeting with the provided name. When called with "shakshi", it outputs "Hello, shakshi".
2. Functions with default arguments
A function can have default values assigned to its parameters. If no argument is provided when calling the function, it takes the default value.
Python# function definition:deffun(x,y=50):print("x:",x)print("y:",y)# function callfun(10)
Explanation: fun(x, y=50)takes two parameters, wherey has a default value of 50. It prints the values ofx andy. When called with fun(10), it uses 10 forx and the default value 50 fory .
3. Keyword argument functions
Function arguments can be passed using keywords to improve code readability. This ensures the correct mapping of values to parameters, regardless of their order.
Python# function definitiondeffun(name,age):print(name,"is",age,"years old.")# function callfun(age=21,name="shakshi")
Outputshakshi is 21 years old.
Explanation: fun(name, age) prints the name and age with the message "is [age] years old." It is called usingkeyword arguments(age=21, name="shakshi"), which assigns the values explicitly tonameandage.
4. Variable length argument functions
When the number of arguments is unknown, a function can accept multiple arguments using*args (for non-keyword arguments) or**kwargs (for keyword arguments).
Python# function definationdeffun(*args):forarginargs:print(arg)# function callingfun("Python","Java","C++")
Explanation: fun(*args) uses a variable-length argument list, allowing it to accept any number of arguments. It then iterates through each argument and prints it.
5. Functions with Return value
A function can return a value using the return statement. This allows the function to send back a result for further computation.
Python# function definationdeffun(num):returnnum*num# function callingres=fun(5)print(res)
Explanation: fun(num) takes a numbernumas input and returns its square(num * num). When called withfun(5), it calculates 5 * 5 and stores the result inres.
6. Lambda functions
Alambda function is an anonymous (nameless) function that is defined in a single line using the lambda keyword. It is used for short, simple operations where defining a full function is unnecessary.
Python# lambda function definition:res=lambdax:x*xprint(res(4))
Explanation: lambda x: x * x takes one inputx and returns its square(x * x). When res(4) is called, it computes 4 * 4, resulting in 16 .
Pass by reference or Pass by value in Python
Python handles argument passing by reference for mutable objects (e.g.,lists,dictionaries) and by value for immutable objects (e.g.,integers,strings,tuples). If an immutable object is modified inside a function, a new object is created, whereas changes to mutable objects reflect outside the function.
Example :Pass by reference (Immutable data types)
Python# function definitiondeffun(x):print("Value received:",x,"id:",id(x))# driver codex=12print("Value passed:",x,"id:",id(x))# function callfun(x)
OutputValue passed: 12 id: 140027364606256Value received: 12 id: 140027364606256
Explanation: fun(x)prints the value of x and its memory identifier usingid(). In the driver code,x is assigned the value 12 and before calling the function, both the value andid of x are printed. When the function is called, it prints the same information for x.
Example: Pass by Reference (Mutable Data Types)
Python# Function definitiondeffun(a):a[0]=100# Changing the first element of the listprint("Inside function - lst:",a)# Driver codea=[1,2,3]# List is mutableprint("Before function call - lst:",a)# Function callfun(a)print("After function call - lst:",a)# List is modified outside the function
OutputBefore function call - lst: [1, 2, 3]Inside function - lst: [100, 2, 3]After function call - lst: [100, 2, 3]
Explanation: fun(a)modifies the first element of the passed list([0] = 100). Since lists are mutable in Python, the change is reflected outside the function. Before the call,a is [1, 2, 3], and after the call, it becomes [100, 2, 3].