Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial

Tim Gast
7,624 Pointswhen use the ()
Hi
I was wondering when I need to use () after a word. Sometimes I get the output by just typing the name and sometimes it is mandatory to put () behind it
file_object = open('basics.txt')
data = file_object.read()
1 Answer

Steven Parker
240,995 PointsParentheses after a function name invoke (or "call") the function, causing it to run and return a value (if that's what it is designed to do).
But to access a value stored in an ordinary variable you only need the name.
Tim Gast
7,624 PointsTim Gast
7,624 Pointsaha thankyou!