Full Documentation and Difference Between of Parameter and Argument.

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Difference Between of Parameter and Argument

In Python, Parameters and Arguments are terms related to functions, but they refer to different things.

Definition of Parameters:

Parameters are variables that are defined as part of a function’s signature (in the function definition).

When you define a function, the variables that you put in the parentheses are parameters.

Example of Parameters:

def greet(name): # 'name' is a parameter
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

In this case, name is a parameter.

Definition of Arguments:

Arguments are the actual values you pass to the function when calling it.

When you call the function, the data you pass in the parentheses is referred to as the argument.

Example of Arguments:

greet("Alice") # "Alice" is an argument

In this case, "Alice" is the argument passed to the greet function.

Key Differences:

Difference Between Parameter and Argument

Example with Multiple Parameters and Arguments:

def add(a, b): # 'a' and 'b' are parameters
return a + b

result = add(5, 3) # 5 and 3 are arguments
print(result) # Output: 8

Here, a and b are parameters, while 5 and 3 are arguments.

Types of Parameters and Arguments in Python:

1. Positional Parameters/Arguments:

These are passed based on their position in the function call.

Example:

Python

def subtract(a, b):
return a - b

print(subtract(10, 3)) # Output: 7

2. Keyword Parameters/Arguments:

These are passed using the name of the parameter in the function call.

Example:

Python

def greet(name, message):
print(f"{message}, {name}!")

greet(name="Alice", message="Good Morning") # Output: Good Morning, Alice!

3. Default Parameters:

These are parameters that have a default value in the function definition.

Example:

Python

def greet(name="Guest"):
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

greet() # Output: Hello, Guest!

Summary:

Parameters are placeholders defined in the function definition.

Arguments are actual values passed during the function call.

Positional and keyword arguments provide flexibility when calling functions, and default parameters can make certain arguments optional.