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Scripts vs Functions

Scripts are sequences of statements executed top-to-bottom; functions encapsulate behavior with parameters and (optionally) return values. Prefer functions for reusable logic; use scripts for simple one-off tasks or as program entrypoints.

# script: top-level code executed on import/run
print('this runs when the file is executed')

# function: encapsulated behavior
def main():
    print('main called')

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

% script.m contains top-level statements and affects the base workspace
a = 1;
disp(a)

% function files define functions and have their own local workspace
function out = myfunc(x)
  out = x + 1;
end

Gotchas

  • In Python, top-level code runs on import; guard execution with if __name__ == '__main__'.
  • Matlab scripts operate in the base workspace and can unintentionally overwrite variables; prefer functions for reusable code.
  • Use functions for unit-testable logic and scripts for orchestration.