Python Mathematical signs in function parameter?
<p>I would like to know if there is a way to add math symbols into the function parameters. </p>

<pre><code>def math(x, y, symbol):
      answer = x 'symbol' y
      return answer
</code></pre>

<p>this is an small example what I mean. </p>

<p><strong>EDIT:
here is the whole problem</strong> </p>

<pre><code>def code_message(str_val, str_val2, symbol1, symbol2):
    for char in str_val:

        while char.isalpha() == True:
            code = int(ord(char))
            if code &lt; ord('Z'):
                code symbol1= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &gt; ord('z'):
                code symbol1= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &gt; ord('A'):
                code symbol2= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &lt; ord('a'):
                code symbol2= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            break
        if char.isalpha() == False:
            str_val2 += char
    return str_val2
</code></pre>

<p>I need to call the function a number of times but sometimes with a +/- for first symbol and sometimes a +/- for second symbol</p>

<p>ORIGINAL CODE :</p>

<pre><code>def code_message(str_val, str_val2):
    for char in str_val:

        while char.isalpha() == True:
            code = int(ord(char))
            if code &lt; ord('Z'):
                code -= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &gt; ord('z'):
                code -= key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &gt; ord('A'):
                code += key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            elif code &lt; ord('a'):
                code += key
                str_val2 += str(chr(code))
            break
        if char.isalpha() == False:
            str_val2 += char
    return str_val2
</code></pre>

<p>You should first consider that you have to use <code>answer = x symbol y</code> and not the contrary.</p>

<p>Then concerning the use of symbols, you can send the function as a parameter.
For the basic operator you might use the <a href="https://docs.python.org/2/library/operator.html" rel="nofollow">operator</a> module.</p>

<p>For example:</p>

<pre><code>import operator

def math(x, y, function):
      return function(x, y)

math(4,5, operator.sub)
</code></pre>

<p>You will find in the documentation all the others operations you need.</p>

python function math symbols sign