[Tutor] Equivalent of a Subroutine in Python?

[Michael P. Reilly]

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> Hello,
> 
> Another question from someone totally new to Python. Is there an equivalent
> in Python to a sub-routine, (e.g. gosub and return).  I want to create a
> modular program with sub-routines to perform distinct tasks wihin the
> program for organizational and debugging purposes, etc.  Is the only (or
> best) way to do this is with modules?  A function works but the values
> obtained within the function do not appear to be valid outside of that
> function.  I guess I am looking for the best approach to create the
> subroutines for execution from the main flow of the program.

There sure are.  You would either use the "def" statement or the
"lambda" expression to create a subroutine/procedure/function.

>>> def WhatsMyLine(name, message):
...   print name, 'said', repr(message)
...
>>> WhatsMyLine('Arcege', "Spam, Spam, Eggs and Spam")
Arcege said 'Spam, Spam, Eggs and Spam'
>>> is_odd = lambda n: (n % 2) == 1
>>> is_odd(3)
1
>>> is_odd(4), is_odd(5)
(0, 1)
>>>

I would suggest that you read the Python tutorial; it could help you a
lot with your questions.
<URL: http://www.python.org/doc/current/tut/tut.html>

  -Arcege

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