math - This function should work to calculate factorials, but it doesn't. [python-3.x] -

(full disclosure, going through python tutorial @ codeacademy, , using web-based ide.)

def factorial(x):     bang = 1         num in x:             bang = bang * num     return bang 

in java, works generate factorial number smaller 2,147,483,647. think should work in python, doesn't. instead error:

"traceback (most recent call last): file "python", line 3, in factorial typeerror: 'int' object not iterable"

perhaps there's i'm not understanding here, or perhaps syntax wrong. tested further , created separate function called factorial iterates:

def factorial(x):     if x > 2:         return x     else:         return x(factorial(x-1)) 

this doesn't work, giving me error:

"traceback (most recent call last): file "python", line 11, in factorial typeerror: 'int' object not callable"

i python noob, seems both of these should work. please advise on best way learn python syntax...

you can't for num in x if x integer. integer isn't "iterable" error says. want this:

def factorial(x):     bang = 1     num in xrange(1, x+1):         bang = bang * num     return bang 

the xrange (or range) generate necessary range of numbers in operate upon.