Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial![](https://ecs-static.teamtreehouse.com/assets/views/marketing/shared/community-banner-white-47072046c51352fe6a69f5e691ff5700b28bb11d45197d7bdf066d9ea3f72d0c.webp)
![mohamed roshdy](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e042fbfbfd54e797053202f2e99d0454?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
mohamed roshdy
3,321 Pointsis it necessary to create the add_to_list function
is creating the function add_to_list is important because the jobe can be done without it, or this is considered a professional thing?
2 Answers
![Simon Chalder](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1edd90f4805280d58fd7cba9df441169?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Simon Chalder
4,293 PointsUsing a function means the code can be reused at other points in the program if needed and is cleaner to read. In a larger program, you would want to use a function rather than inline code because there may be multiple instances where the add_item code may be needed (there may be multiple users or lists or whatever) and you don't want to repeat yourself. Also, it's convenient to break up your code into reusable smaller chunks which perform a specific task as it can help with visualizing the structure of the program as well as helping with errors as you only need to look in one place rather than worry about which iteration of that code block is causing the problem.
TLDR: Yeah it's a good habit to get into even where it may not be strictly necessary. :D
![Faraz Malik](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/9301522/micro_halo_4-2560x1600.jpg)
Faraz Malik
20,721 PointsIt is not necessary, but it is very good practice. If you didn't use functions and used that block of code several times in your app, then if you needed to change something then you would need to do the same thing several times. Functions also make reading your code much easier. That is ideal especially if other developers are using your code. Hope this helps. :)