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4.14: Functions (Glossary)

  • Page ID
    8576
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    algorithm
    A general process for solving a category of problems.
    argument
    A value provided to a function when the function is called. This value is assigned to the corresponding parameter in the function.
    body
    The sequence of statements inside a function definition.
    composition
    Using an expression as part of a larger expression, or a statement as part of a larger statement.
    deterministic
    Pertaining to a program that does the same thing each time it runs, given the same inputs.
    dot notation
    The syntax for calling a function in another module by specifying the module name followed by a dot (period) and the function name.
    flow of execution
    The order in which statements are executed during a program run.
    fruitful function
    A function that returns a value.
    function
    A named sequence of statements that performs some useful operation. Functions may or may not take arguments and may or may not produce a result.
    function call
    A statement that executes a function. It consists of the function name followed by an argument list.
    function definition
    A statement that creates a new function, specifying its name, parameters, and the statements it executes.
    function object
    A value created by a function definition. The name of the function is a variable that refers to a function object.
    header
    The first line of a function definition.
    import statement
    A statement that reads a module file and creates a module object.
    module object
    A value created by an import statement that provides access to the data and code defined in a module.
    parameter
    A name used inside a function to refer to the value passed as an argument.
    pseudorandom
    Pertaining to a sequence of numbers that appear to be random, but are generated by a deterministic program.
    return value
    The result of a function. If a function call is used as an expression, the return value is the value of the expression.
    void function
    A function that does not return a value.

    This page titled 4.14: Functions (Glossary) is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Chuck Severance.

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