Using Python Optional Arguments When Defining Functions

Defining Python Functions With Optional Arguments

Darren Jones
Darren Jones 13 Lessons 34m basics python
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Defining your own functions is an essential skill for writing clean and effective code. In this tutorial, you’ll explore the techniques you have available for defining Python functions that take optional arguments. When you master Python optional arguments, you’ll be able to define functions that are more powerful and more flexible.

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Distinguish between parameters and arguments
  • Define functions with optional arguments and default parameter values
  • Define functions using args and kwargs
  • Deal with error messages about optional arguments

What’s Included:

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Creating Functions in Python for Reusing Code

4 Lessons 7m

  1. 1. Defining Python Functions With Optional Arguments (Overview)01:04
  2. 2. Creating Functions01:26
  3. 3. Creating Functions With No Input Parameters02:05
  4. 4. Creating Functions With Required Parameters02:28

Using Python Optional Arguments With Default Values

5 Lessons 15m

  1. 1. Using Optional Arguments With Default Values00:32
  2. 2. Assigning Default Values03:28
  3. 3. Understanding Common Default Values03:05
  4. 4. Recognizing Unsuitable Default Data Types06:31
  5. 5. Avoiding Error Messages02:11

Using args and kwargs

4 Lessons 11m

  1. 1. Using args and kwargs01:05
  2. 2. Accepting Any Number of args05:09
  3. 3. Accepting Any Number of kwargs03:52
  4. 4. Defining Python Functions With Optional Arguments (Summary)01:26
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About Darren Jones

With 20 years as a teacher of music technology, Darren is keen to bring his skills to the Python table.

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Each tutorial at Real Python is created by a team of developers so that it meets our high quality standards. The team members who worked on this tutorial are:

Christopher

Kate

Tappan

Stephen

Joanna

Aldren

Leodanis

Bartosz

Jacob

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