Order and Indentation

Section 17.4 Order and Indentation

A function or procedure must be defined before you call it. So, like on the previous page, we will typically first define our procedures and then write the main part of our program. Remember that a function definition tells Python how to do a job. The program will not actually do the job until it is told to do so with a procedure call.

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The program below does not work. Try running it to see what error message is produced.

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It produces an error message saying name 'hop' is not defined on line 5. Python has not been told yet how to hop. Fix the program by moving the definition code (currently lines 8-12) up above the main part of the program.

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Subsection 17.4.1 Indentation

Indentation shows Python (and humans) what code is contained inside other code. The instructions that make up the body of a procedure must all be indented. Then, when we are done providing the body, we stop indenting:

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When Python reads that program it does something like this:

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Ahhh… a definition for square, it must have some lines inside of its body, look for indented code. But don’t run that code yet!
The next 8 lines are indented, they are the body for square.
Oh, another definition. Look for a body for this function. Don’t do it yet.
The next three lines are indented, they are the body for hop.
from turtle import * - not indented run this now
Next two lines - same - not indented run this now
square(malik) - not indented - run this now. Now it is time to go do the square. When we are done with it, come back to this point and continue running.
hop(malik) - not indented - run this now. Now it is time to go do the hop. When we are done with it, come back to this point and continue running.

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Subsection 17.4.2 Indentation Rules

In Python, indentation is a syntax rule. It is not optional. If you do not indent correctly, Python will not understand your code.

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When a line of code in this book is indented, we indent it using 4 spaces. Python will let you use as many spaces as you want to indent, but once you start a function, you must use the same amount of indentation for each line. You can’t use 2 spaces on one line and then 3 on the next. It is best to pick one distance and use that for all of your indentation.

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Hint.

Pressing the tab key while on a line will shift it right 4 spaces. Pressing shift-tab will move the line left 4 spaces. You can also select multiple lines of code and use tab or shift-tab to move all the lines at once.

See the video below for a hint on how to solve the next mixed-up code problem.

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Checkpoint 17.4.1.

The following code should define a procedure that draws a triangle, but it may be mixed up and may contain extra (unused) code. Drag the needed code to the right side in the correct order. Remember that the statements in the procedure must be indented! To indent a block drag it further right.

def triangle(turtle):
---
 turtleName.left(60)
 turtleName.forward(100)
 turtleName.right(120)
 turtleName.forward(100)
 turtleName.right(120)
 turtleName.forward(100)
 turtleName.right(120)
---
from turtle import *
bianca = Turtle()
triangle(bianca)
---
 endDef  #distractor

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Now fix the indentation in this code sample so it works correctly. Try using tab and shift-tab to move lines right or left. A good trick for fixing a line is to move it all the way left and then move it back to the right if it needs to be indented.

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You have attempted 1 of 6 activities on this page.

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