Defining functions in Python

Function signatures: positional, keyword, and default arguments.

def brew(drink, size="medium", to_go=False):
    order = f"{size} {drink}"
    if to_go:
        order += " to go"
    return order


morning = brew("coffee")
afternoon = brew("tea", size="large")
evening = brew("cocoa", to_go=True)
explicit = brew(drink="matcha", size="small", to_go=False)

How it works

1. Defaults make size and to_go optional.
2. Callers can pass positionally or by keyword.
3. Keyword calls read clearly and skip defaults selectively.

Keywords and builtins used here

• brew
• def
• if
• return

The run, in numbers

Lines

11

Characters to type

271

Tokens

92

Three-star pace

90 tpm

At the three-star pace of 90 tokens a minute, this run takes about 61 seconds.

Type this snippet

Step 1 of 6 in Functions, step 33 of 72 in Language basics.

← Previous Next →