built-in function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built-in function" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in programming and computer science to refer to a function that is provided as part of a programming language or software library. Example: "In Python, the built-in function 'len()' is used to determine the length of a string."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Another name for the built-in function SYSDATE is CURRENT_DATE.

Stanford University

The built-in function getattr also returns an attribute for an object by name.

University of California, Berkeley

The built-in function Math.floor discards any fractional part, leaving an integer between 0 and 99.

Princeton University

E.g., "IRF IRON-monkey" is a built-in function, and "IRF my-irf.dat" is a text file.

Harvard University

It is relatively efficient because filter is a built-in function (compiled C code in most matlab implementations).

Stanford University

The built-in function Math.random produces a different (pseudo- random number between 0 and 1 each time it is called.

Princeton University

The analytical solution of crossflow heat exchanger was simply implemented by using built-in function of the MATLAB program.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

This general form of computation is called mapping a function over a sequence, and corresponds to the built-in function map.

University of California, Berkeley

The company makes and licenses a system of magnetic coils and companion electronics that turn wireless charging into a built-in function of smartphones and other devices.

The New York Times

Your server software may have a built-in function that creates the private key and CSR for you, but in most cases, you should use the openssl command-line utility to create them (see instructions).

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There's also an interesting built in function for accessing lost data in a decentralized way.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about software or programming, use "built-in function" to clearly denote a function that is part of the language or system itself, avoiding ambiguity with user-defined functions.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a function is "built-in" when it might be part of an external library or module. Always verify the origin of the function to ensure accurate terminology.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "built-in function" is to act as a noun phrase describing a type of function. It modifies the noun 'function' to specify that it is included as part of a programming language or system. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

Academia

36%

News & Media

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "built-in function" is a grammatically sound and prevalent phrase, primarily employed in technical domains like computer science and programming. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially within scientific and academic literature. This phrase serves to classify functions inherent to a system, differentiating them from user-defined or externally added ones. For alternatives, consider "intrinsic function" or "native function" for semantic similarity. When using the term, ensure you're accurately representing the function's origin to prevent miscommunication. In summary, "built-in function" is a key descriptor in technical discussions, enhancing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrinsic function

Replaces "built-in" with "intrinsic", emphasizing the function's inherent nature.

predefined function

Focuses on the function being defined beforehand, rather than its inclusion.

native function

Highlights the function's origin within the system or language.

integrated function

Emphasizes the function's integration into the system.

system function

Indicates that the function is part of the operating system or core system.

standard library function

Specifies that the function is from a standard library included with the language or system.

pre-programmed routine

Uses "routine" instead of "function" and highlights the pre-programmed aspect.

default function

Indicates the function is used automatically unless otherwise specified.

compiled function

Emphasizes that the function is already compiled and ready for execution.

inbuilt feature

Uses feature instead of function and uses the word inbuilt.

FAQs

How can I use "built-in function" in a sentence?

You can use "built-in function" to describe functions that are included as part of a programming language or software, such as, "Python's len() is a "built-in function" that returns the length of a string".

What are some alternatives to saying "built-in function"?

Alternatives to "built-in function" include "intrinsic function", "native function", or "predefined function", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between a "built-in function" and a user-defined function?

A "built-in function" is provided by the programming language or system itself, whereas a user-defined function is created by the programmer to perform a specific task.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "built-in function"?

The term "built-in function" is appropriate in technical documentation, programming tutorials, and any context where you need to clearly distinguish between functions that are part of the core language or system and those that are externally added or user-created.