Functions can include conditional statements, loops, and variables. Previously, an `if`/`else` statement determined if a number was odd or even but required manual edits for different numbers. A better approach is to define a function that takes a number as input and applies the logic within, allowing reuse without redundancy.

# Define a function
def is_odd(n):
    if n % 2 == 0:
      return "even"
    else:
      return "odd"

# Testing function
print('2 is', is_odd(2))
print('3 is', is_odd(3))

The function correctly identifies `2` as even and `3` as odd. This function can be invoked repeatedly with different numbers as needed.

What is the primary advantage of defining an `is_odd()` function?

Python is an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language. Unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are primarily used for web development, Python is versatile and can be used in various fields, including software development, data science, and back-end development. In this course, you'll explore the core aspects of Python, and by the end, you'll be crafting your own functions!

Dive into the basics of Python, explore your workspace, and perform simple math operations. Learn how to write readable code using comments and handle both basic and advanced mathematical expressions while displaying your results.

Learn how to store and manage data in Python by working with numbers, text, and variables. Understand how to assign values, follow naming conventions, and explore different data types. Gain hands-on experience with string operations, indexing, slicing, and memory recall techniques to efficiently manipulate text in Python.

Learn how to use comparison and logical operators, work with conditional expressions, and apply membership and type comparisons. Build a strong foundation in writing programs that respond dynamically to different conditions using if/else and if/elif/else structures.

Expand your understanding of data types by learning how to group multiple attributes within a single variable. Explore lists, tuples, and dictionaries to efficiently store and manage structured data, along with essential methods for manipulation and retrieval.

Master the art of writing loops in Python—essential constructs for iterating over lists, tuples, dictionaries, and other data structures. Learn to use while and for loops effectively, explore the range function, and work with nested loops to handle complex iteration patterns.

Explore essential built-in functions in Python and take the next step by creating your own. Learn how to define functions, use conditional logic, modify existing functions, and work with lambda expressions to write efficient, reusable code.

Use of if/else Statements in Python Functions