How to call function in Python from another file

Anita 126 Published: 12/04/2024

How to call function in Python from another file

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In Python, you can call a function from one file into another by using the import statement. Here are a few ways to do it:

Method 1: Import the entire module

Let's say you have a file called math_operations.py with the following code:

# math_operations.py

def add(a, b):

return a + b

def subtract(a, b):

return a - b

To use these functions in another file, like main.py, you would import the entire math_operations module using the following statement:

# main.py

import math_operations

result = math_operations.add(2, 3)

print(result) # Output: 5

Method 2: Import specific functions

If you only need to use a few specific functions from the math_operations module, you can import them individually using their names. Here's how:

# main.py

from math_operations import add, subtract

result = add(2, 3)

print(result) # Output: 5

result = subtract(4, 2)

print(result) # Output: 2

Method 3: Use from ... import * (Not Recommended)

While you can use the from ... import * statement to bring in all the functions from the math_operations module, it's generally not recommended. This is because it can lead to naming conflicts and pollute your namespace.

For example:

# main.py

from math_operations import *

result = add(2, 3) # Works!

print(result) # Output: 5

result = subtract(4, 2) # Also works!

print(result) # Output: 2

Method 4: Create a separate file for utility functions

Another approach is to create a new file, like utils.py, that contains your reusable functions. Then, you can import this file into your main script:

# utils.py

def add(a, b):

return a + b

def subtract(a, b):

return a - b

And in your main script:

# main.py

import utils

result = utils.add(2, 3)

print(result) # Output: 5

result = utils.subtract(4, 2)

print(result) # Output: 2

Conclusion

To call a function from one file into another in Python, you can use the import statement with different variations. Choose the method that best fits your needs and coding style.

Remember to keep your code organized by creating separate files for related functions or modules, and avoid polluting your namespace with unnecessary imports.

I hope this helps!

Python invoke function examples

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Invoking a Function in Python

In Python, you can invoke a function by simply calling its name with the necessary arguments passed in parentheses. Here are some examples:

Simple Function Invocation
def greet(name):

print("Hello, " + name)

greet("John") # Output: Hello, John

Function with Default Argument

In this example, the greet function has a default argument for the name parameter. If you don't pass a value for name, it will default to "Unknown".

def greet(name = "Unknown"):

print("Hello, " + name)

greet() # Output: Hello, Unknown

greet("Jane") # Output: Hello, Jane

Function with Keyword Arguments

Python functions can also take keyword arguments, which are useful when you need to pass options or parameters that have specific names.

def greet(name, format = "Hello"):

print(format + ", " + name)

greet("John", "Hi") # Output: Hi, John

greet("Jane") # Output: Hello, Jane

Function with Multiple Return Values

In Python, you can return multiple values from a function using the return statement followed by a comma-separated list of values.

def get_name_and_age(name):

age = 30

return name, age

name, age = get_name_and_age("John")

print(f"{name} is {age} years old.") # Output: John is 30 years old.

Anonymous Functions (Lambda Functions)

Python has a feature called lambda functions that allows you to create small, one-time-use functions.

sum_squares = lambda x, y : x**2 + y**2

print(sum_squares(3, 4)) # Output: 25

These are just a few examples of how you can invoke and use functions in Python. Functions are an essential part of programming, as they allow you to reuse code and make your programs more modular and maintainable.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification on these topics.