Question

Message: Write a function called display_message() that prints one sentence telling everyone what you are learning about in this chapter. Call the function, and make sure the message displays correctly.

Short answer

Define the function `display_message`, write a print statement inside, call the function, and verify the output.

Step-by-step solution

Define the Function

To begin, identify the purpose of the function, which is to print a sentence about what is being learned in this chapter. Use the `def` keyword to define the function. Define the function without parameters, as none are needed for this task. Name the function `display_message`.

Write the Function Body

Inside the function, use a print statement to display the message. Decide on the content of the message. For this example, you might write `print("In this chapter, I am learning about functions in Python.")`.

Call the Function

After defining the function, call it to execute its body. Simply write `display_message()` on a new line after the function definition to see the output.

Verify the Output

Run the code to ensure the sentence displays correctly. The function should output: `In this chapter, I am learning about functions in Python.`

Key concepts

Programming Fundamentals

Programming fundamentals form the basis of understanding any programming language, including Python. They encompass basic concepts such as variables, data types, control structures like loops and conditionals, and functions. These fundamentals are crucial for writing efficient and effective code.

Understanding programming fundamentals helps you to:

• Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Write clear and logical code.
• Improve code readability and maintainability.
• Learn advanced programming concepts more easily.

By mastering these foundational concepts, you set the stage for learning more complex topics such as object-oriented programming and data structures.

Function Definition

In programming, a function is a reusable block of code that can perform a specific task. Defining a function in Python is simple and starts with the `def` keyword. Following `def`, you provide the name of the function, and a pair of parentheses `()`. If your function takes parameters, they are listed within these parentheses, but for a parameterless function, as in our exercise, the parentheses are left empty.

For the example exercise, the function is defined as follows:

• Use `def display_message():` to create the function.
• This line tells Python that we are defining a function named `display_message` with no parameters.
• The colon `:` at the end of this line indicates the start of the function's body.

This straightforward definition allows us to segment our code effectively, making it modular and organized.

Print Statement

The `print` statement in Python is used to output text or other information to the console. It is one of the most frequently used functions for debugging and displaying messages.

Key aspects of the print statement include:

• It allows you to display text by enclosing it within quotation marks, i.e., `print("Your message")`.
• It automatically adds a new line at the end of the output, so each print statement is on a new line by default.
• It can print numbers, strings, or a combination of both, enhancing your ability to communicate with users through the console.

In the original exercise, `print("In this chapter, I am learning about functions in Python.")` provides a straightforward example of how to communicate with the user.

Python Syntax

Syntax in Python refers to the set of rules that defines the combinations of symbols that are considered to be correctly structured programs in Python. Python syntax is known for its simplicity and readability, which makes it particularly appealing to beginners.

Important elements of Python syntax include:

• Using indentation to define blocks of code, such as those in loops or functions, instead of braces `{}` like in some other languages.
• Keywords like `def`, `print`, `if`, `for`, etc., which are predefined words in Python, each with a specific meaning and function.
• Comments are written using the `#` symbol to make the code easier to understand.

Mastering Python syntax helps you avoid syntax errors and makes your code more understandable to others, which is especially helpful when working in teams or sharing code with others.