← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

Calling a function

Calling a function by writing its name followed by arguments in brackets, running its instructions and possibly producing a value

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 31, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 143, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 75, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 135, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 37, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Modular Programming — Module 10

Understanding Calling a function in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What it does: This description matches calling a function, which runs its defined instructions. A function call is written as the function name followed by its arguments in brackets, like addNumbers(3, 4). Function calls can appear inside the body of another function or the main algorithm. This line calls addNumbers and stores its returned value in the variable total.

Common mistakes: Calling a function requires brackets around the arguments, such as addNumbers(3, 4). Calling a function requires brackets around the arguments, such as addNumbers(3, 4).

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 158–380) and word search (Modules 82–380).

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Learning

Duo

Does calling a function require its name followed by brackets containing arguments?

TrueFalse

Matches

total <- addNumbers 3, 4

↓

Calling a function requires brackets around its arguments

Applying

Meanings

Term

addNumbers(3, 4)

Meaning

Calling a function by writing its name followed by arguments in brackets, running its instructions and possibly producing a value

Practice

define addNumbers(a, b)

Testing

Gaps

total ← (3, 4)

Check Answer

Spots

3end function

4total <- addNumbers 3, 4

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Quick Questions

1. Does calling a function require its name followed by brackets containing arguments?

A. True ✓

B. False

A function call is written as the function name followed by its arguments in brackets, like addNumbers(3, 4).

2. Should arguments in a function call be separated by commas?

A. False

B. True ✓

Multiple arguments in a function call are separated by commas, such as multiply(3, 4).

3. Can the value returned by a function call be stored in a variable?

A. True ✓

B. False

A function call's returned value can be assigned to a variable, such as total ← addNumbers(3, 4).

4. Should a function call with no arguments still include empty brackets?

A. False

B. True ✓

Even with no arguments, a function call still needs brackets, such as showMenu().

5. Does a function call need to use square brackets, like myFunc[3, 4]?

A. False ✓

B. True

Function calls use round brackets, not square brackets, for their arguments.

Match the Pairs

addNumbers(3, 4) → Calls the addNumbers function with two arguments

total ← addNumbers(3, 4) → Stores the value returned by a function call in a variable

Writing a function's name followed by arguments in brackets → Calling a function

Values passed into a function call, matching the parameters it expects → (3, 4)

total <- addNumbers 3, 4 → Calling a function requires brackets around its arguments

size ← area[5, 3] → A function call uses round brackets, not square brackets

Key Term

addNumbers(3, 4)

Calling a function by writing its name followed by arguments in brackets, running its instructions and possibly producing a value

Fill in the Blanks

1. total ← addNumbers(3, 4)

Hint: Type the name of the function being called

2. total ← addNumbers(3, 4)

Hint: Type the first argument passed to the function

3. result ← multiply(6, 7)

Hint: Type the second argument passed to the function

4. message ← greet("Sam")

Hint: Type the argument being passed to the greet function, without quotes

5. DISPLAY addNumbers(2, 5)

Hint: Type the second argument passed to the function

Spot the Error

Question 1

A define addNumbers(a, b)

B return a + b

C end function

D total <- addNumbers 3, 4

Line D — Calling a function requires brackets around the arguments, such as addNumbers(3, 4).

Question 2

A total <- addNumbers 3, 4

B define addNumbers(a, b)

C return a + b

D end function

Line A — Calling a function requires brackets around the arguments, such as addNumbers(3, 4).

Question 3

A define double(n)

B return n * 2

C end function

D output = double(6)

Line D — Assignment in pseudocode uses ←, not =.

Question 4

A define computeArea(length, width)

B size <- computeArea 5, 3

C return length * width

D end function

Line B — Calling a function requires brackets around its arguments — it should read computeArea(5, 3).

Question 5

A define multiply(x, y)

B answer <- multiply(3 4)

C return x * y

D end function

Line B — Arguments in a function call must be separated by a comma, such as multiply(3, 4).

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