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Python Python Basics (2015) Logic in Python Fully Functional

Posted by Nate Thomas
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Nate Thomas
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 1,218 Points

Where does the name variable come from and how are they connected?

I don't understand how the name variable is created and connected with the rest of the script.

def hows_the_parrot():
    print("He's pining for the fjords!")

hows_the_parrot()

def lumberjack(name):
    if name.lower() == 'kenneth':
        print("Kenneth's a lumberjack and he's OK!")
    else:
        print("{} sleeps all night and {} works all day!".format(name, name))

lumberjack("Nate")

1 Answer

Kenneth Black
Kenneth Black
23,140 Points

The name variable inside the function is just a placeholder for whatever gets passed in. Whatever you pass into the function will be assigned to the name variable 

def lumberjack(name):  #until it's called, it's just a placeholder variable
    if name.lower() == 'kenneth':
        print("Kenneth's a lumberjack and he's OK!")
    else:
        print("{} sleeps all night and {} works all day!".format(name, name))

lumberjack("Nate") # Now we're calling on lumberjack and passing in "Nate" 
              # lumberjack looks at this and assigns "Nate" to the first variable, name
Nate Thomas
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Nate Thomas
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 1,218 Points

Thanks!