Difference Between Method and Function in Python | Python Method vs Function

Objective: In Python, we often encounter both methods and functions, which might seem similar at first. However, there are key differences between the two. Let’s take a look at each and compare them with examples.

Python Functions – A Revision: A Python function is a sequence of statements that are executed in a specific order when called by its name. Functions help with code reusability. Python has both built-in and user-defined functions.

User-Defined Functions: Python allows you to define your own functions. For example:

Built-in Functions: Python offers many built-in functions, such as max(), abs(), len(), etc. Here's an example:

Python Methods – A Revision: A Python method is similar to a function but is associated with an object. Methods are defined within a class, and they operate on objects. For example:

Here, the start() and showcolor() methods are called on the car object, which is an instance of the Vehicle class.

Comparison Between Method and Function in Python: Now that we’ve discussed both, here’s a comparison:

Method: A method is called on an object and can access and modify the object’s attributes. It requires the self parameter to reference the current object.

Function: A function is more general and can be called independently of any object. It typically operates on the arguments passed to it and doesn’t alter the state of an object.

Conclusion: In Python, the main difference between a method and a function is that a method is tied to an object, while a function is more general and can be used without any object context. Methods can also modify the state of an object, which is not typically the case with functions.

class Vehicle:    def __init__(self, color):        self.color = color    def start(self):        print("Starting engine")    def showcolor(self):        print(f"I am {self.color}") car = Vehicle('black') car.start()  # Starting engine car.showcolor()  # I am black