python jargon Flashcards
algorithm
A general process for solving a category of problems
argument
a value provided to a function when the function is called. This value is assigned to the corresponding parameter in the function.
body
the sequence of statements inside a function definition
composition
using a statement as part of a larger statement, or an expression as part of a larger expression
deterministic
pertaining to a program that does the same thing each time it runs, given the same inputs
dot notation
The syntax for calling a function in another module by specifying the module name followed by a dot (period) and the function name. (math)
flow of execution
the order in which statements are executing during a program run
fruitful function
a function that returns a value
function
a named sequence of statements that performs some useful operation. Functions may or may not take arguments and may or may not produce a result.
function call
a statement that executes a function. It consists of the function name, followed by an argument list.
function definition
a statement that creates a new function, specifying its name, parameters, and the statement it executes.
function object
A value created by a function definition. the name of a function is a variable that refers to the function object.
header
the first line of a function definition
import statement
a statement that reads a module file and creates a module object.
module object
A value created by an import statement that provides access to the data and code defined in a module
parameter
A name used inside a function to refer to the value passed as an argument.
pseudorandom
Pertaining to a sequence of numbers that appear to be random, but are generated by a deterministic program.
return value
The result of a function. If a function call is used as an expression, the return value is the value of the expression
void function
a function that does not return a value
