Library Programs

Learning Objectives
●​ Understand why program libraries exist.​

●​ Know what a program library contains.​

●​ Learn how to import a library into a Python program.​

●​ Know how to call a library function.​

●​ Understand how to use the return value from a library function.

1. What You Already Know

✔ Programming languages

●​ Programming languages can be block-based (e.g., Scratch) or text-based (e.g., Python).​

●​ Text-based programs run using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment).​

✔ Libraries in everyday life

●​ A library stores many resources for people to use.​

●​ Similar idea in programming: a program library stores ready-made code.​

✔ What is a sub-routine?

●​ A sub-routine is a self-contained algorithm with its own name (identifier).​

●​ You “call” a sub-routine by using its name.​

●​ After the sub-routine finishes, the program returns to the main code.​
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2. Sub-routines
There are two types of sub-routines:

A. Functions
●​ A function returns a value to the main program.

B. Procedures
●​ Procedures do NOT return a value.​

●​ They simply perform instructions.​

👉 In Python, both are usually just called functions.​

​

3. How Functions Work

✔ Defining a function
def functionName():
code inside function

●​ The keyword def starts a function.​

●​ Function names:​

○​ must start with a letter​

○​ cannot have spaces​

○​ cannot start with a number

Example:​
def myFunction():
return "Hello"
print(myFunction())
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✔ Calling a function
print(myFunction())

✔ Return value
Whatever is returned replaces the function call.​
Example:​
​
print(myFunction())
becomes​
​
print("Hello")

4. Example: Function with Input and

Return
def first():
name = input("Enter your name")
return name
def second():
colour = input("What is your favourite colour?")
return colour

Main program:

print("Welcome to the best program in the world")

userName = first()
print("Hello", userName)
favColour = second()
print(favColour, "is a good choice")
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5. Parameters
●​ A parameter is a value that is sent to a sub-routine/function when a sub-routine/function
is called.​

●​ The function uses this value inside it.​

Example:

A function calculates the area of a square, but it needs to know the length of each side of the
square.

The function takes the length as a parameter.

def squareArea(length):
return length * length

Calling with a parameter:

area = squareArea(5)

Here, 5 is a parameter.

Example:

def squareArea(n):
return n * n
side=int(input(“Enter a side:”))
area1=squareArea(side)
print(area1)
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1. What is a Program Library?
A program library is:

●​ A collection of sub-routines (functions and procedures)​

●​ Already written by other programmers​

●​ Provided for you to use in your program​

You don’t need to know how the sub-routine works—only how to call it.

Example:​
Python's math library has ready-made functions such as:

●​ pi
●​ floor()
●​ ceil()

2. Why Do Program Libraries Exist?

Program libraries exist to:

✔ Save time

Programmers don’t need to rewrite common algorithms (for example, area of a circle uses π).

✔ Reduce errors

Library code has already been tested.

✔ Use advanced algorithms

Some tasks (AI, graphics, data science) are too complex for beginners to write.​
Libraries allow programmers to use them easily.

✔ Improve reliability
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Many people use libraries, so errors are found and fixed quickly.

✔ Increase productivity

Programmers can build bigger, more useful programs faster.

3. Which Library Should I Use?

Different libraries are used for different purposes:

●​ math → mathematical functions​

●​ random → random numbers​

●​ Pandas → data handling​

●​ TensorFlow → artificial intelligence​

●​ NumPy → numerical data & arrays​

Every programming language has its own set of libraries.

4. How Do I Use a Library?

To use a library in Python:

💡 Step 1: Import the library

import math

💡 Step 2: Call functions from the library

[Link](25)
[Link](8.9)

Some libraries need installation, but math and random come built-in with Python.
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⚠ Note:

Using libraries is NOT cheating.​

Libraries are meant to be used—but you still need to understand and write your own code.

5. Benefits and Drawbacks of Libraries

✔ Benefits

●​ Make programs faster to write​

●​ Well tested → reliable​

●​ Provide advanced tools​

●​ Prevent rewriting the same code​

❓ Needs checking
Even tested libraries can sometimes give unexpected results.

✖ Be careful when downloading

Some libraries may be unsafe (e.g., viruses).​

Use trusted sources only.
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6. Python Libraries – Common Examples
Library Description

math Mathematical functions (pi, rounding, etc.)

random Generates random numbers

Pandas Data structures for tables

TensorFlo Machine learning and AI

w

NumPy Mathematical arrays and scientific computing

7. The Math Library in Python

To import:

import math

Functions included (you will learn these three):

●​ floor()​

●​ ceil()​

●​ pi
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8. The floor() Function
✔ What it does

Rounds a number down to the nearest whole number.

Example:

[Link](22.6) → 22
[Link](4.55) → 4

✔ Syntax
[Link](number)

✔ Example in code
print([Link](22.6))

Output: 22

To store the returned value:

roundedNumber = [Link](100.2)

Example program:

import math
firstNumber = 2.6543
print("What is", firstNumber, "rounded down to the nearest whole
number?")
answer = int(input())
if answer == [Link](firstNumber):
print("Correct")
else:
print("Incorrect")
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9. The ceil() Function
✔ What it does

Rounds a number up to the next whole number.

Example:

[Link](22.6) → 23
[Link](4.55) → 5

✔ Syntax
[Link](number)

✔ Example in code
print([Link](22.6))

Output: 23

To store the returned value:

roundedNumber = [Link](100.2)

Example program:

import math
firstNumber = 33.426
print("What is", firstNumber, "rounded up to the nearest whole
number?")
answer = int(input())
if answer == [Link](firstNumber):
print("Correct")
else:
print("Incorrect")
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10. The pi Function ([Link])
Sometimes you need the value of pi (π) in calculations such as:

●​ Area of a circle​

●​ Circumference of a circle​

Python’s math library provides the value of pi as a constant.

✔ Syntax
[Link]

✔ Example
circleCircumference = [Link] * diameter

Note:

●​ No brackets after pi​

●​ It behaves like a number (≈ 3.14159)​

Using pi – Circle Calculations

Common formulas using pi:

Calculation How it works Equation

Area of a circle radius² × π πr²

Diameter 2 × radius 2r

Circumference 2 × radius × π 2πr

Example Program
import math
radius = 2
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area = (radius * radius) * [Link]
print("The area is", area)

11. Random Numbers

A random number is a number chosen by chance.​
You cannot predict which number will appear next.

Importing the random Library

To use the random library:

import random

The randint() Function

randint() returns a random whole number between two limits.

✔ Syntax
[Link](lowest, highest)

Example
[Link](1, 6)

This returns any number between 1 and 6.

Both parameters must be whole numbers.

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Examples of randint() Values
Function call Parameters Possible
outputs

[Link](1, 5) 1→5 1,2,3,4,5

[Link](0, 3) 0→3 0,1,2,3

[Link](11, 16) 11 → 16 11–16

[Link](-2, 1) -2 → 1 -2,-1,0,1

Example Program Using randint()

import random
numberToGuess = [Link](0, 3)
guess = int(input("What number am I thinking of?"))
if numberToGuess == guess:
print("Correct")
else:
print("No, the number is", numberToGuess)

This program:

●​ Picks a random number​

●​ Asks the user to guess it​

●​ Compares the guess to the random number

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Summary of All math Functions Learned
Function Purpose Example Output

[Link](x) Round down [Link](4.9) 4

[Link](x) Round up [Link](4.1) 5

[Link] Value of π [Link] * r 3.14159 × r

[Link]( Random whole [Link]( 1–6

a,b) number 1,6)