Loops inside functions! - Part 2
In the previous chapter, you have noted that
functions `right7′, `right8′, `right6′ are all
similar - the only difference is in the number with
which you are comparing `count’.
Look at the function below (there is no reason why it
is called `new_right’, you can use any other name):
def new_right(n):
count = 0
while count < n:
count = count + 1
right()
How is this function different?
We are writing an `n’ inside the brackets! And, we are
comparing count with this `n’!
Now, bring Neko to the top left corner and try the
following experiment at the Python prompt:
new_right(3)
Magic - Neko has moved right by 3 cells!
Now try:
new_right(4)
Yes - Neko has moved again, 4 cells to the right!
What is happening here?
Simple. When you write `new_right(3)’, the `n’ in the body
of the function gets the value 3 - so `count’ gets compared
with 3.
When you write `new_right(5)’, the `n’ in the body of the function
gets the value 5 - and `count’ gets compared with 5!
As you might have guessed, Computer Programmers have invented
some tricky words to describe this.
A programmer will say that `n’ is a `parameter’ to the function
`new_right’!
She will also say that when you write `new_right(4)’, you are
“passing 4 as value of parameter `n’”.
But we need not care too much about such big words!
You can put more than one value within the bracket. Here is
an example:
def sum(p, q):
print p + q
Try doing:
>>> abc(10, 20) 30 >>>