Python - Glossary

3.13 Glossary

function call

A statement that executes a function. It consists of the name of the function followed by a list of arguments enclosed in parentheses.

argument

A value provided to a function when the function is called. This value is assigned to the corresponding parameter in the function.

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.

type conversion

An explicit statement that takes a value of one type and computes a corresponding value of another type.

type coercion

A type conversion that happens automatically according to Python's coercion rules.

module

A file that contains a collection of related functions and classes.

dot notation

The syntax for calling a function in another module, specifying the module name followed by a dot (period) and the function name.

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 definition

A statement that creates a new function, specifying its name, parameters, and the statements it executes.

flow of execution

The order in which statements are executed during a program run.

parameter

A name used inside a function to refer to the value passed as an argument.

local variable

A variable defined inside a function. A local variable can only be used inside its function.

stack diagram

A graphical representation of a stack of functions, their variables, and the values to which they refer.

frame

A box in a stack diagram that represents a function call. It contains the local variables and parameters of the function.

traceback

A list of the functions that are executing, printed when a runtime error occurs.