Can the same parameters be used in 2 different definitions? Python

Question

Say I had a function in Python:

def createCube(no_of_cubes):

This function creates cubes and the number of cubes it creates is set by the parameter: no_of_cubes

If i then wanted to create another function:

def moveCubes():

and I wanted the parameter no_of_cubes to be used in this function, and for the parameter to use the same integer that has been inputted for the first function. How would I do so? Or is it not possible?

Answer 1

A parameter is merely an argument to a function, much like you'd have in a maths function, e.g. f(x) = 2*x. Also like in maths, you can define infinite questions with the same arguments, e.g. g(x) = x^2.

The name of the parameter doesn't change anything, it's just how your function is gonna call that value. You could call it whatever you wanted, e.g. f(potato) = 2 * potato. However, there are a few broad naming conventions—in maths, you'd give preference to a lowercase roman letter for a real variable, for example. In programming, like you did, you want to give names that make sense—if it refers to the number of cubes, calling it no_of_cubes makes it easier to read your program than calling it oquhiaisnca, so kudos on that.

I'm not sure how that bit fits into your program. A few of the other answers suggested ways to do it. If it's just two loose functions (not part of a class), you can define a variable outside the functions to do what you want, like this:

1: n = 4 # number of cubes, bad variable name
2: def createCube(no_of_cubes):
3:     # things
4: def moveCubes(no_of_cubes):
5:     # different things
6: createCube(n)
7: moveCubes(n)

What happens here is that line 6 calls the function createCube and gives it n (which is 4) as a parameter. Then line 7 calls moveCubes giving it the same n as a parameter.

This is a very basic question, so I'm assuming you're new to programming. It might help a lot if you take some python tutorial. I recommend Codecademy, but there are several others you can choose from. Good luck!

Answer 2

It is possible. But that two definitions get that parameter as their own one. I mean that parameter works only the definition scope. It may not be harmful for another same name parameter on different definitions.

Answer 3

If you cannot, probably you shouldn't do it.

If they're two separate functions (not nested or so), they should not share parameters.

If they do have connection in some way, a better way is to define a class:

class Cube:
    def __init__(self, no_of_cubes):
        self.no_of_cubes = no_of_cubes

    def create_cube(self):
        # use self.no_of_cubes
        pass

    def move_cubes(self):
        # use self.no_of_cubes
        pass

c = Cube(no_of_cubes)
c.create_cube()
c.move_cubes

Unless you know what you're doing, don't define global variable.

Answer 4

You can load the function moveCubes() inside createCube(). For example:

def createCube(no_of_cubes):
    # Do stuff
    moveCubes(no_of_cubes)

def moveCubes(no_of_cubes):
    # Do more stuff

Or you could define no_of_cubes out of the functions so it is accessible to all.

no_of_cubes = 5

def createCube():
    global no_of_cubes
    # Do stuff

def moveCubes():
    global no_of_cubes
    # Do stuff