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

Python Functions, Packing, and Unpacking Packing and Unpacking Packing, a Practical Example

Leah Kelly
Leah Kelly
4,141 Points
Posted by Leah Kelly
Leah Kelly
4,141 Points

what is the function sum()?

sum() seems a lot like len(). Help!

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

Well, assuming you are using these with lists, len() gives you how many things are in it, but sum() adds up the values of the things in it.

So for example, if your list contained [ 4, 5, 6 ] then len(mylist) would be 3, but sum(mylist) would be 15.

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

There's great documentation on the built-in functions sum() and len()!

Leah Kelly
Leah Kelly
4,141 Points
Leah Kelly
Leah Kelly
4,141 Points

That makes a LOT more sense, thank you. 😊