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Calling a Function

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Lua journey — lesson 51 of 90.

Creating a function is only the first step - to make the code inside the function run, you need to call the function.

Here's the key concept: declaring a function doesn't execute its code. Think of it like writing down a recipe - the recipe exists, but no food gets cooked until you actually follow the instructions.

To call a function, simply write its name followed by parentheses:

function sayHello()
    print("Hello there!")
end

sayHello()  -- This calls the function
challenge icon

Challenge

Easy

Create a player status notification system by declaring and calling a function that displays important game information. First, declare a function named displayPlayerStatus that prints "Player is online and ready!". After declaring the function, call it twice to simulate checking the player status at two different moments in the game.

Cheat sheet

To call a function, write its name followed by parentheses:

function sayHello()
    print("Hello there!")
end

sayHello()  -- This calls the function

Declaring a function doesn't execute its code - you must call it to run the code inside.

Try it yourself

-- TODO: Write your code here
-- Declare the displayPlayerStatus function
-- Then call it twice
quiz iconTest yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Fundamentals

1Introduction

The LanguageHello World!Comments

4Operators 2 Relational & Logic

Equality OperatorsRelational OperatorsThe 'and' OperatorThe 'or' OperatorThe 'not' OperatorShort-Circuit EvaluationTruthy and Falsy ValuesRecap - Simple Logic

7Basic Conditional Logic

The if-then StatementThe if-then-else StatementThe elseif StatementRecap - Treasure Chest

10Tables Part 1: List-Style

What is a Table?Creating a TableAccessing Elements by IndexModifying Elements by IndexThe Length Operator '#'table.insert()table.remove()Recap - Manage Party Members

13Project: Simple Potion Shop

Project SetupAdding a PotionProject lessonDisplaying the InventoryProject lessonCalculating Total Stock ValueProject lessonFinding a Specific PotionProject lessonSelling a PotionProject lesson

2Variables and Data Types

What is a Variable?NumbersStringsBooleansThe Value 'nil'The type() FunctionNaming ConventionsRecap - Character Profile

5Basic Output

Printing LiteralsPrinting VariablesPrinting Multiple ValuesCombining Strings & VariablesThe tostring() FunctionInputCastRecap - Status ReportRecap - Till 120

8String Manipulation Basics

string.len()string.upper & string.lowerstring.sub()string.rep()string.find()Recap - Format Username

11Tables 2: Dictionary-Style

Key-Value PairsCreating Dictionary-Style TablAccessing - Bracket NotationAccessing with Dot NotationAdding and Modifying PairsRemoving Pairs with nilRecap - Item Properties

14Variable Scope

Global VariablesLocal VariablesWhy Use Local Variables?Scope and BlocksRecap - Scope Puzzle

3Operators 1 Arithmetic & Conc

Arithmetic OperatorsModulo OperatorExponentiation OperatorString ConcatenationOperator PrecedenceRecap - Simple Calculations

6Project: Character Stats Disp

Welcome MessageDeclare Character StatsProject lessonDisplay Basic StatsProject lessonAdd a Boolean FlagProject lessonFinal SummaryProject lesson

9Functions Basics

Declaring a FunctionCalling a FunctionFunctions with ParametersFunctions with Multiple ParamsThe 'return' StatementRecap - Area Calculator

12Loops Basics

The while LoopThe repeat-until LoopThe Numeric for Loopfor Loop with a StepThe 'break' StatementRecap - Countdown

15Final Challenges

Recap - Player TurnRecap - Simple DatabaseRecap - Sum of Even Numbers