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Python

Posted by Erin Leathers
Erin Leathers
3,562 Points

Passing arguments into functions

I understand how to define and utilize a function except when it comes to passing arguments in. Anyone have some tips, tricks, to get this straight in my head. Is the argument kind of like a variable, or maybe a place holder. Please share how you keep it straight in your head.

def knights(neee!):

Thanks,

Aaryn

1 Answer

Robert Richey
Robert Richey
Courses Plus Student 16,352 Points

Hi Erin,

I'll try my best!

parameters.python 
# we define functions with parameters
# parameters are variables that are local to the function

def knights(message):
  print(message)

# outside of the knights function, there is no message variable
arguments.python 
# we call functions by passing in arguments. these are 'values' that can either be variables or literals

arg = "neee!"

# here are two calls to the same function, passing in the same value for the argument

knights(arg)
knights("neee!")

# inside the function, the variable message holds the value "neee!" and gets printed to the screen

Hope this helps,

Cheers