Difference Between Function and Method in Python

Difference Between Function and Method in Python

The enthusiastic learners who choose to learn Python after a thorough understanding of Java programs may know that a group of statements is called a method if it is enclosed and performs a particular task. In the same sense, you tend to use the ‘method’ and ‘function’ interchangeably. However, though both appear to be similar, unlike Java programs, there is a subtle difference between function and method in Python. 

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Python functions

A group of organized program statements that perform a specific and relevant task and can be used again and again in the program is called Python’s function. There are three types of functions in Python, namely Built-in or library functions, User-defined functions and Anonymous functions. Python has 69 in-built functions.

Its name can independently call a function. It may or may not have several parameters or no parameters at all. The passing of data is explicit. Data may or may not be returned in a function. No concept class or instance of a class is involved in a function.

Let’s have a brief look at the rules to be followed to define a Python function:

• ‘def’ is the keyword that precedes the function name followed by parentheses before starting the function block.
• The parentheses can accept any number of arguments or parameters.
• Every function’s block code is initiated by a colon (:)
• The value can be returned by a ‘function’ with a ‘return’ statement, which is not mandated.

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What is a method in Python?

A ‘method’ is a function that is associated with a class or an object. The’ method’ is always dependent on the class to which it is associated. The parameters are implicitly passed on to the invoked object. The data in the class to which it is associated can be operated by the method.