how to think like a computer scientist

[john boy]

Question for the following program: sec 5.5
 
def factorial (n):
   if n == 0:
      return 1
   else:
      recurse = factorial (n-1)
      result = n * recurse
      return result
 
How come whenever I state the function with "n" given a value it prints no results in the interpreter for EX:
 
def factorial (n):
   if n == 0:
      return 1
   else:
      recurse = factorial (n-1)
      result = n * recurse
      return result
factorial (3)
 
So instead I have to give a "print" command to make the result appear in the interpreter 
for EX:

 
def factorial (n):
   if n == 0:
      return 1
   else:
      recurse = factorial (n-1)
      result = n * recurse
      return result
print factorial(3)
 
Is this correct....should I have to give a print command??


		
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