In [1]:

    

def the_function(var):
    """This is a docstring, where a function definition might live"""
    a = 1 + var  # this is a simple comment
    return a


    

In [2]:

    

def decay(index, database):
    # first, retrieve the decay constants from the database
    mylist = database.decay_constants()
    # next, try to access an element of the list
    try:
        d = mylist[index] # gets decay constant at index in the list
    # if the index doesn't exist
    except IndexError:
        # throw an informative error message
        raise Exception("value not found in the list")
    return d


    

In [3]:

    

def decay(index, database):
    lambdas = database.decay_constants()
    try:
        lambda_i = lambdas[index]    # gets decay constant at index in the list
    except IndexError:
        raise Exception("value not found in the list")
    return lambda_i


    

In [4]:

    

def decay(index, database):
    lambdas = database.decay_constants()
    try:
        lambda_i = lambdas[index]    # gets decay constant at index in the list
    except LookupError:
        raise Exception("value not found in the decay constants object")
    return lambda_i


    

In [5]:

    

def power(base, x):
    """Computes base^x. Both base and x should be integers,
    floats, or another numeric type.
    """
    return base**x


    

In [6]:

    

class Isotope(object):
    """A class defining the data and behaviors of a radionuclide.
    """