Common Python Functions – Documentation Syntax Explained
print
Syntax:
print(*objects, sep=' ', end='\n', file=[Link], flush=False)
Explanation:
*objects – any number of values to print
sep – separator placed between objects
end – what is printed at the end (default newline)
file – output stream (usually the terminal)
flush – forces the buffer to immediately send output to the terminal
Example:
print("Hello", "World", sep="-")
len
Syntax:
len(obj)
Explanation:
obj – any container (string, list, tuple, set, dictionary)
Returns the number of elements.
Example:
len("hello") # 5
range
Syntax:
range(stop)
range(start, stop[, step])
Explanation:
start – starting number
stop – ending limit (not included)
step – increment value
Square brackets [] mean optional parameters.
Example:
range(1, 10, 2)
input
Syntax:
input(prompt=None)
Explanation:
prompt – message shown before input
None – means no default prompt
Example:
name = input("Enter your name: ")
int
Syntax:
int(x=0, base=10)
Explanation:
x – value to convert into an integer
base – number system base
Example:
int("101", 2)
float
Syntax:
float(x=0.0)
Explanation:
x – value converted into a floating-point number
Example:
float("3.14")
str
Syntax:
str(object='')
Explanation:
object – value converted into a string
Example:
str(42)
type
Syntax:
type(object)
type(name, bases, dict)
Explanation:
object – value whose type you want to inspect
Second form is used to dynamically create classes.
Example:
type(5)
sum
Syntax:
sum(iterable, start=0)
Explanation:
iterable – collection of numbers
start – initial value added before summing
Example:
sum([1,2,3])
max
Syntax:
max(iterable, *[, key, default])
max(arg1, arg2, *args[, key])
Explanation:
iterable – collection to evaluate
key – function used for comparison
default – value returned if iterable is empty
Example:
max([3,7,2])
min
Syntax:
min(iterable, *[, key, default])
min(arg1, arg2, *args[, key])
Explanation:
Works like max() but returns the smallest value.
Example:
min([3,7,2])
sorted
Syntax:
sorted(iterable, *, key=None, reverse=False)
Explanation:
iterable – items to sort
key – function determining comparison value
reverse – True sorts in descending order
Example:
sorted([5,1,4])
abs
Syntax:
abs(x)
Explanation:
x – number
Returns the absolute (non-negative) value.
Example:
abs(-5)
round
Syntax:
round(number, ndigits=None)
Explanation:
number – value to round
ndigits – number of decimal places
Example:
round(3.14159,2)
enumerate
Syntax:
enumerate(iterable, start=0)
Explanation:
iterable – collection to loop through
start – starting index
Example:
for i, v in enumerate(["a","b"]):
pass
zip
Syntax:
zip(*iterables, strict=False)
Explanation:
*iterables – multiple collections combined element-wise
strict – ensures equal lengths
Example:
zip([1,2],[3,4])
map
Syntax:
map(function, *iterables)
Explanation:
function – function applied to each element
iterables – collections providing elements
Example:
map(int, ["1","2"])
filter
Syntax:
filter(function, iterable)
Explanation:
function – condition function returning True/False
iterable – collection to filter
Example:
filter(lambda x: x>5, [2,7,9])
open
Syntax:
open(file, mode='r', buffering=-1, encoding=None)
Explanation:
file – file path
mode – read/write mode
buffering – buffer control
encoding – text encoding
Example:
open("[Link]","r")
help
Syntax:
help(object=None)
Explanation:
object – function, module, or class to inspect
Displays documentation in the interpreter.
Example:
help(print)