The print() Function


What is a function?

A function is a group of related statements that perform a specific task.  Python has many built-in functions but you can also create your own, known as defining a function.  Functions help us organize our code, especially as we develop longer programs.

The print() function is one of these built-in functions in Python.  That doesn't mean that whenever the word appears it is always a function name.  By placing parenthesis after the word "print", we are telling Python to execute the function.

Running the function print() will produce a blank line.  We call this empty because we haven't delivered any arguments to the function. 
If we use double-quotations and write text within those quotations (like you did on the previous page), then the Output will print exactly as it appears.  This is known as a string.
NOTE: Strings can be enclosed by either double or single quotes.  For the sake of this course, we will use double-quotations for strings.

Arguments are a very important component of functions.  The argument is a value that is passed to the function when it's called, essentially, we are assigning a value to that function. 

If you want to deliver one or more arguments to a function, you place them inside parenthesis.


Practice 2.2:

Objectives
  •  becoming familiar with the print() function and its formatting capabilities;
  • experimenting with Python code

Scenario

The print() command, which is one of the easiest directives in Python, simply prints out a line to the screen.  Almost anything you put inside the quotes will be taken, not as code, but as data.

Use the print() function to print the following lines:

  • "Hello, Python!"
  • Create a blank space
  • Your first and last name
  • Remove the parentheses and run your code.  What kind of error is given?
  • Replace the parentheses, indent your line this time and run your code again.  What kind of error is given this time?  We're going to talk about these errors soon.
  • Experiment as much as you can.  Change double-quotes to single quotes, use multiple print() functions on the same line, and then on different lines.  See what happens.