Grades array setup

Define the grades array and print it.

Add search function

Now we add the find_note(notes, target) function. It uses linear search to find the target note's index.

The function returns -1 if the note is not found. This is a standard value to indicate search failure.

Using linear search

The find_note function can access the note array by calling init_notes defined in the previous lesson.

This shows the power of cumulative code: new functions build on old ones and nothing is rewritten.

Exercise Search function

Write find_note(notes, target). Return index of target; -1 if absent. Print 3 with print(find_note(init_notes(), 92)).

Show example solution

def init_notes():
    # Return note array
    return [85, 90, 78, 92, 88]
def find_note(notes, target):
    # Search for target
    for i in range(len(notes)):
        if notes[i] == target:
            return i
    return -1
print(find_note(init_notes(), 92))

Test yourself

What does find_note return if not found?
- -1
- 1
- 0
- n
Show answer

-1 — find_note returns -1.

Function parameter

find_note(notes, ____) — target note

Show answer

find_note(notes, target) — target note

Grades array setup: match the terms

find_note

Search
notes

Array
target

Target
-1

Not found

Next lesson: Search function

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