[Zope] python method query

[Lee Reilly CS1997]

populate_table_unchecked(matric, classcode, self)
# create a database connection
# querys the database
# parse the results
# derives new queries based on results
# returns some parameters e.g. p, a, t, b
# and some other things

I'm using this code in a lot of my methods so I'd rather have it in one.
I know I can put a .py file in my extenstions directory and call it that
way but is there any way to call it (as a Python method) from another
Python method?

Here's part of the method populate_table_unchecked(matric, classcode,
self)

table="CLASS" + string.replace(`classcode`, ".", "")
table=string.replace(table, "'", "")

db_conn = self.MySQL_database_connection()
SQL = ("SELECT PRACTICALS, ASSIGNMENTS, TUTORIALS, BONUS FROM CLASSES
WHERE CLASSCODE = '" + classcode + "'")

result=db_conn.query(SQL)
resultString = `(result[1])`
length = len(resultString)

# To take away the last 2 brackets
i=length-1
x= ""
while (i>1):
         x=x+resultString[length-1-i]
         i=i-1

# To take away the first 2 brackets
newLength=len(x)
j=newLength-1
y= ""
while (j>1):
    y=y+x[j]
    j=j-1

# To invert the string
i=len(y)-1
z=""
while (i>=0):
      z=z+y[i]
      i=i-1

components = string.split(z)

p = string.atoi(string.replace(components[0], ",", ""))
a = string.atoi(string.replace(components[1], ",", ""))
t = string.atoi(string.replace(components[2], ",", ""))
b = string.atoi(components[3])

... how would I call it from another Python method? i.e. pass is values
for class & matric and allow it to return p,a,t and b? Would I need to
use 'def' in addition to giving my method an id and parameter list?

Thanks for any help.

Lee