Designing Programs
with Functions
Minds On
● Define a function that accepts 2 values, and prints its
quotient, product, and power
Minds On - Solution
● Define a function that accepts 2 values, and prints its
quotient, product, and power
Learning Goals and Success Criteria
❏ Devise a plan for a program by creating an algorithm and pseudocode
❏ Translate information from your algorithm and pseudocode into Python
language
❏ Define a function and develop a program containing multiple functions
❏ Identify and describe the difference between a local and global variable
Flowcharts
Top-Down Design
- Overall task is broken down into a series of subtasks
- Each subtask is examined to see if it can be broken down into more subtasks and this is repeated
until there are no more subtasks identified
- Once all the subtasks have been identified they are written in code
Programmer begins by looking at the topmost level of tasks and breaks it down into lower level tasks.
Can use hierarchy charts to depict the flow of these overall tasks and subtasks.
Hierarchy chart example
Practise Task 1
An appliance company wants their technicians to remember their instructions. The owner has asked you to develop
a program that displays the following instructions for disassembling the dryer appliance:
Step 1: Unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall
Step 2: Remove the six screws from the back of the dryer
Step 3: Remove the dryers back panel
Step 4: Pull the top of the dryer straight up
After each step, the user will be asked to press Enter to see the next step. The program should also contain a
greeting/opening message as well as a closing message.
Task
1. Design the algorithm in pseudocode (5 mins)
2. Create a hierarchy chart (5 mins)
3. Write the code (5 mins)
4. Check with a partner (5 mins)
Run in Python together
Practise Task 1 Sample Answer
Practise Task 2
A coffee shop wants a program to guide baristas in preparing customized coffee orders. The owner has
asked for the program to include the following instructions:
1. Choose Coffee Type: The barista must select the type of coffee (Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino).
2. Choose Add-ons: Ask the customer if they want any add-ons: (Milk, Sugar, Whipped Cream).
3. Cup Size Selection: The customer selects a cup size (Small, Medium, Large).
4. Display Summary: Show a summary of the customer’s choices.
5. Confirmation: Ask the barista to confirm before completing the order. If the order is incorrect, they
can go back and edit the choices.
For this example, we will not write the code, yet (since we haven’t discussed decision-making yet).
Instead, write 2-3 different hierarchy charts that seem reasonable and check with a classmate.
Practise Task 2 Sample Answers
Practise Questions
1. a) Define a function named f_1 which will print "Hello World!"
b) Add onto the function code by asking the user to input their names.
c) Add onto the function code by printing the name as part of the code
d) Call the function
2. a) Define a function named f_2 which will ask users to input the date
b) Within the function, call another function named f_3 that will output a story (3 lines of code to be
printed that you can choose that includes the date that was input by the user)
c) Define f_3
d) Call f_2
Local Variables
def main():
get_name()
print(‘Hello’, name)
def get_name():
name = input(‘Enter your name: ‘)
main()
#What happens here?
Local Variables
- Created inside a function and CANNOT be accessed by statements that are outside the function.
- Different functions can have local variables with the same names because the functions cannot see each other’s
local variables
- An error will occur if a statement in one function tries to access a local variable that belongs to another function
- Also cannot be accessed if it appears inside the function at a point before the variable has been created.
Global Variables
When a variable is created by an assignment statement that is written outside all the functions in a
program file, the variable is global.
Ex.
value = 200
def main():
print(value)
main()
Global Variables
Most programmers restrict the use of global variables or don’t use them at all because:
- Makes debugging difficult with longer codes
- Relies on the global variable and will have to redesign code to use the function in a different program
- Makes a program hard to understand
Global Constant
Define: A global name that references a value that cannot be changed. -> Don’t have to worry about hazards with
global variables
Python doesn’t allow you to create true global constants.
When you create a variable outside of a function without the keyword global, it cannot be changed inside the function.
-> Similar to what we’ve been doing.
Homework
CS Circles practice
CMU CS practice
