XML Processing with Python

5.3. Functions

A function is a named collection of Python statements. Functions can take any number of arguments. The general form of a function is:

CD-ROM reference=5021.txt
def <function name>(<arguments>):
<statements>

In the following example, a function printHello is declared and then executed interactively.

CD-ROM reference=5022.txt
>>> def printHello():
... print "Hello"
...
>>> printHello()
Hello
>>>

Note that the print "Hello" line is indented by one space relative to the def printHello(): line. Python's interactive prompt changes to a ... when it is expecting to see indented lines. To stop entering indented lines, press RETURN on a blank line. Python's prompt then returns to >>>.

In the following example, a function HoursFromDays ...