Question

What is a library function?

Short answer

Answer: Some key features of a library function include reusability, being pre-written, wide availability, and being well-tested. An example of a library function in Python is the `sqrt()` function from the `math` library, which computes the square root of a given number. To use it, you can import the `math` library and then call the function as follows: ``` import math result = math.sqrt(16) print(result) ```

Step-by-step solution

Definition of a Library Function

A library function is a pre-written piece of code that is designed to perform a specific task. Developers create library functions to help programmers work more efficiently by providing commonly used pieces of code that can be easily integrated into their programs.

Features of a Library Function

Some key features of a library function include: 1. Reusability: Library functions can be easily called and used in multiple programs or projects without the need to rewrite the code. 2. Pre-written: Library functions are written by developers and can be imported into your code to save time and effort. 3. Wide availability: Many programming languages have extensive libraries with a wide range of functions to perform various tasks. 4. Well-tested: Library functions are typically tested thoroughly by the developer, making them more reliable than writing custom code from scratch.

Example of a Library Function

For example, in Python, the `math` library contains various mathematical functions that can be used in your program. To use the `sqrt()` library function that computes the square root of a given number, you would first import the `math` library and then call the function as follows: ``` import math result = math.sqrt(16) print(result) ``` In this example, the `sqrt()` function is part of the `math` library, and when called, it returns the square root of the provided number (16, in this case). By using library functions, we can perform complex tasks or calculations without having to write the code ourselves.