In this lesson we are going to learn about python variables, casting, user

input, functions, and conditions. By the end of this lesson you will be able
to identify the parts of a basic function in python.

Python Variables
Variables
Variables are containers for storing data values.

Creating Variables
Python has no command for declaring a variable.

A variable is created the moment you first assign a value to it.

Example
x = 5
y = "John"
print(x)
print(y)

Variables do not need to be declared with any particular type, and can even
change type after they have been set.

Example
x = 4 # x is of type int
x = "Sally" # x is now of type str
print(x)
Casting
If you want to specify the data type of a variable, this can be done with
casting.

Example
x = str(3) # x will be '3'
y = int(3) # y will be 3
z = float(3) # z will be 3.0

User Input
Python allows for user input.

That means we are able to ask the user for input.

Python 3.6 uses the input() method.

The following example asks for the username, and when you entered the
username, it gets printed on the screen:

Python 3.6
username = input("Enter username:")
print("Username is: " + username)

Python Functions
A function is a block of code which only runs when it is called.

You can pass data, known as parameters, into a function.

A function can return data as a result.

Creating a Function
In Python a function is defined using the def keyword:

Example
def my_function():
print("Hello from a function")

Calling a Function
To call a function, use the function name followed by parenthesis:

Example
def my_function():
print("Hello from a function")

my_function()

Arguments
Information can be passed into functions as arguments.

Arguments are specified after the function name, inside the

parentheses. You can add as many arguments as you want, just separate
them with a comma.

The following example has a function with one argument (fname). When
the function is called, we pass along a first name, which is used inside the
function to print the full name:

Example
def my_function(fname):
print(fname + " Marulanda")

my_function("Oscar")
my_function("Marla")
my_function("Gustavo")

Arguments are often shortened to args in Python documentations.

Parameters or Arguments?
The terms parameter and argument can be used for the same thing:
information that are passed into a function.

From a function's perspective:

A parameter is the variable listed inside the parentheses in the function

definition.

An argument is the value that is sent to the function when it is called.

Explaining a process:
● First, we…

● Second, we…

● Then, we…

● After that, we…

● Then, we…

● …

● Finally, we…

Exercise:
Find out how to use conditions in python and write a function
that receives one argument as user input and then decides if the
person is old enough to drink or not. Then, use the vocabulary from this
lesson to give a brief explanation of your code.