Lesson 4 of 8
Functions
Concept
A function is a reusable block of code. Define it with
def, give it a name, optionally accept inputs (parameters), and optionally return a result. Every route handler in your FastAPI apps is a function.
m3shdup/app/intrinsic.py
def idle_minutes() -> int:
"""How long before an agent is considered idle."""
try:
return int(os.environ.get("M3SHDUP_INTRINSIC_IDLE_MINUTES", "10"))
except ValueError:
return 10
# Calling the function
minutes = idle_minutes() # returns 10 (or whatever the env var says)What's happening
def starts the definition. idle_minutes is the name. The -> int is a type hint — it tells you (and tools) this returns an integer, but Python doesn't enforce it. return sends the value back to whoever called the function.