Python - Glossary

5.9 Glossary

fruitful function

A function that yields a return value.

return value

The value provided as the result of a function call.

temporary variable

A variable used to store an intermediate value in a complex calculation.

dead code

Part of a program that can never be executed, often because it appears after a return statement.

None

A special Python value returned by functions that have no return statement, or a return statement without an argument.

incremental development

A program development plan intended to avoid debugging by adding and testing only a small amount of code at a time.

scaffolding

Code that is used during program development but is not part of the final version.

guardian

A condition that checks for and handles circumstances that might cause an error.