Method vs Functions

I’m pretty sure it’s similar to javascript, which I’m more familiar with:

A function is a chunk of code that does something when called.

A method is similar that it does something when used, but it’s on a case-by-case basis and manipulates an object in some way via its properties.

So, you could choose a single element in the DOM and change it’s backgroune color by using the appropriate method. You could put that method into a function and create a click event that will trigger the method to do its thing on every click.

MDN says:

“A method is a function which is a property of an object. There are two kind of methods: Instance Methods which are built-in tasks performed by an object instance, or Static Methods which are tasks that can be performed without the need of an object instance.”

mryoung is hitting most of the key point, the key difference is a function is called directly by name, while a method is called by a name that is associated with an object. If you have a global function floating around in the global space, or a function nested within another function, that's a function. When you have a class with a function within it, that's a method. One of the key ways to tell is a method needs the object associated with it to be passed to it, if you see:

def my_method(self, data):
  pass

The self in the method deceleration gives away the fact that it's a method.

That said, rarely, if ever, outside of academic quizzes or whatever, will you need to know the difference, by name, rather you'll need to know the difference in functionality, this being access to certain data:

class MyObject:
  def __init__(self):
    self.color = 'red'

  def my_method(self): 
    #Has access to the MyObject's color
    return self.color

def my_function():
   #Does not have access to MyObject's color
  return color