This Python code defines a function that checks whether a given integer is even or odd. Let's break down the code step by step to understand its functionality, structure, and best practices.
High-Level Overview
The check_even_odd
function takes an integer as input and returns a string indicating whether the number is even or odd. It uses the modulus operator %
to determine the remainder when the number is divided by 2. If the remainder is 0, the number is even; otherwise, it is odd.
Code Breakdown
Function Definition
def check_even_odd(number):
- Function Name:
check_even_odd
clearly indicates its purpose.
- Parameter:
number
is expected to be an integer (int
), which is the input for the function.
Docstring
"""
Check if a number is even or odd.
Parameters:
number (int): The number to be checked.
Returns:
str: A message indicating whether the number is even or odd.
"""
- The docstring provides a clear description of what the function does, the parameters it accepts, and what it returns. This is a good practice for code documentation, making it easier for others (or yourself in the future) to understand the function's purpose.
Even or Odd Check
- This line uses the modulus operator
%
to check if the number is even. If number % 2
equals 0, it means the number is divisible by 2 without a remainder.
return f"The number {number} is even."
- If the condition is true, the function returns a formatted string indicating that the number is even.
else:
return f"The number {number} is odd."
- If the condition is false (i.e., the number is odd), the function returns a string indicating that the number is odd.
Example Usage
print(check_even_odd(10)) # Output: The number 10 is even.
print(check_even_odd(7)) # Output: The number 7 is odd.
- These lines demonstrate how to call the function and print the results. The comments indicate the expected output for each call.
Key Concepts and Best Practices
- Modulus Operator: The use of
%
is a common way to determine evenness or oddness in programming.
- String Formatting: The use of f-strings (formatted string literals) makes it easy to include variable values in strings, improving readability.
- Documentation: The docstring is a best practice that enhances code maintainability and usability.
- Clear Function Naming: The function name is descriptive, which helps in understanding its purpose without needing to read the implementation.
Potential Issues and Improvements
- Input Validation: The function currently does not handle cases where the input is not an integer. Adding input validation could improve robustness. For example:
if not isinstance(number, int):
return "Input must be an integer."
- Type Hinting: Python 3.5+ supports type hints, which can be added to the function signature for better clarity:
def check_even_odd(number: int) -> str:
Alternative Approaches
Conclusion
The check_even_odd
function is a straightforward and effective way to determine if a number is even or odd. By following best practices such as documentation, clear naming, and potential input validation, the code can be made more robust and maintainable.