Understand Functions in Python

The learner on your team defines functions with the def keyword using lowercase, underscore-separated names, then documents them with docstrings and explores built-in functions like print() with help(). The lesson also compares positional, default, and keyword arguments using a device configuration function, and covers return statements that generate values such as an email address.

The lesson runs 54 minutes inside a course that represents about 22 hours per learner. The course starts with Python fundamentals and data structures, then moves through functions, text files, network automation libraries, Jinja templates, REST APIs, spreadsheets, troubleshooting, testing, and concurrent connections.

IT Directors can assign it to network administrators with 1 to 3 years of networking experience but little or no Python background who need a practical path into automation. Team Leads can use it as a baseline before asking staff to contribute automation scripts in production environments.

With positional arguments the order you pass values is vital, while a default argument uses an equal sign in the function definition, such as assuming the platform is Cisco unless another value is supplied. Keyword arguments map each value to a named parameter, so platform, hostname, and username can be passed in any order, and the lesson shows these approaches can be mixed.

You can pass the function to help() or print the function's __doc__ attribute. Printing sends the docstring straight to the terminal, while help() opens it in a pager, which is handy for long docstrings.

Team reporting provides per-learner progress and completion, cohort and group views, and completion exports for audit evidence. Training Managers can also use Playlists to sequence this course with related automation training.