[Tutor] Help!

[Alan Gauld]

On 04/01/2021 21:18, Cameron Simpson wrote:

> The word you want is "parameter". When you write a function like this:
> 
>     def mul(a, b):
>         return a * b
> 
> the variables "a" and "b" come from the function argumments, generally 
> called "parameters". When you call it, for example:
> 
>     x = mul(3, 2)
> 
> the function parameters "a" and "b" take on the values 3 and 2 
> respectively, 

This is one bit of computing terminology that often confuses
learners (and sometimes more experienced practitioners who
should know better!)

In the example above a and b are *parameters* of the function mul()
They are the placeholders for values passed by the functions callers.

When the function is called as mul(3,2) the values 3 and 2 are the
functions *arguments*. So arguments are passed into a function when you
call it and the parameters are the parts of the function definition
which take on (or receive) the values of those arguments.

It may sound like a subtle distinction but when discussing how functions
are defined and used the separation of terms becomes significant.

Note:
Just to really confuse things, some text books use the term "formal
arguments" instead of parameters. Personally I find "formal arguments"
and "arguments" far too close for comfort so I always use
parameters/arguments.


-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/
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