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Python Functions, Packing, and Unpacking Getting Info In and Out of Functions Functions with Arguments and Returns

Abigail Solomon
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Abigail Solomon
Data Analysis Techdegree Student 4,197 Points
Posted by Abigail Solomon
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Abigail Solomon
Data Analysis Techdegree Student 4,197 Points

Why can't I call my function?

So I assigned "Hello " + name to the variable hello within the hello_student function, but I cannot call this function at all. Whenever I call it using hello_student(Gabriel), it gives me a NameError and says that name is not defined, even though I put in a name as a literal argument for the function. When I run the code below, it gives me back an assertion error and claims I don't have a hello variable at all. I do have one but a local one for the hello_student function like the instructions wants, not a global one.

What am I doing wrong?

creating_functions.py 
def hello_student(name): 
    hello = "Hello " + name
    return hello

print(hello_student("Gabriel"))

1 Answer

Rohald van Merode
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STAFF
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Rohald van Merode
Treehouse Staff
Rohald van Merode
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Rohald van Merode
Treehouse Staff

Hi Abigail Solomon 👋

Looks like you're currently trying to print the value but the challenge is asking you to store the returned value in a variable called hello. Since the hello you created is only scoped inside the function the test can't access the value and causes the error saying it's not defined.

To fix this you'll want to create a new hello variable after your function definition, in the global scope and call the hello_student function like so: 

hello = hello_student("Gabriel")

Hope this clears things up! 🙂