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Nathaniel Camorlinga
798 PointsHow is check_please.py being run successfully if the function is never called in the python file check_please.py? Also,
Also, why does this function have two parameters if we don't use the parameters? That is, I can call the function with the two variables I want, however the input function asks me again for the variables I already specified.
2 Answers
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,457 PointsHey Nathaniel Camorlinga, good question!
When python check_please.py is run from the command line, the function is compiled then later execute when the variable amount_due is assigned. That assignment calls the function with the two parameters defined by the variables total_due and number_of_people.
It’s possible to see the function run independently. If you were to start a REPL, you could try:
>>> from check_please import split_check
#... interactive stuff like in the video
>>> split_check(35, 5)
7
The “interactive stuff” is due to the module level code being exposed when importing the module. You’ll learn how to hide this code from imports using a special if statement in a later video. Not important for this question.
(It’s the if __name__ == ‘__main__:’ idiom you might have seen elsewhere.
Post back if you need more help. Good luck!!!
Nathaniel Camorlinga
798 PointsChris thanks for responding. I still think it does not make any sense how this function is running. This will not work in a local python environment, just in your REPL.
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,457 PointsI am happy to explain in more detail. Can you be more specific on part you believe will not work?
When executing the assignment to amount_due, the function split_check is called with the values from the input statements.
It may be worth copying the code to a local file and running it in your environment.
Check out this other explanation where I walk though how the code flows line by line.