What is the difference between a function and a method in Python?

A function is a block of reusable code that performs a specific task. It is defined using the def keyword and can be called independently. Functions can accept arguments and return values.

A method is a function that is associated with an object or class. It is defined within a class and operates on the instance of the class (using self) or the class itself (using cls). Methods are called using the dot notation (e.g., object.method()).

In full-stack development, functions are used for general-purpose tasks, while methods are used to encapsulate behavior within classes. For example, a Django model might have a method to calculate a user’s age based on their birthdate.