title: create a global function in python
body: <p>In python how can I create a function that can be global an used in all classes that are called?
  Here is an example: </p>
  
  <pre><code>import configparser
  import os
  import sys
  from datetime import datetime
  from ftplib import FTP
  
  def notify(msg):
      echo = True
      log = True
      if echo:
          print(msg)
      if log:
          f = open('log.txt','a')
          msg = datetime.now().strftime("%y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S")+': ' + msg
          f.write(msg)
          f.close()
      #sys.exit()  #removing this was the fix!
  
  class zoneFTP():
      def __init__(self):
          self.conn = FTP()
          self.dir = './'
          notify('The dir is :' + self.dir)
  
  def main():
      notify('starting')
      ftp = zoneFTP()
  
  if __name__ == "__main__":
      main()
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Calling <code>notify()</code> in the zoneFTP class fails. How can I make the <code>notify()</code> function like one of the python built in functions so that it can be called anywhere? Or is there a better way of doing what I am trying to accomplish here?</p>