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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Tuples Tuple Swapping

Posted by David Greenstein
David Greenstein
6,734 Points

What is the difference between def add(*nums) and def add(base, *args)?

I understand they produce the same output but could someone help explain the difference. Right now def add(*nums) is making sense to me while im unsure what is the difference between base and args

David Greenstein
David Greenstein
6,734 Points

def add(base,*args): total = base for num in args: total += num return total add(5,20)

for reference

3 Answers

William Li
PLUS
William Li
Courses Plus Student 26,868 Points
William Li
William Li
Courses Plus Student 26,868 Points

Hi David. I see that your question has not been answered in a satisfactory manner yet.

In python, the use of *args or *nums (the naming doesn't matter here) is a way to let function accept any number of arguments.

def add(*nums):
    # this function accepts 0 or more arguments
    # and the arguments are stored in a tuple named nums
    result = 0
    for i in nums:
        result += i
    return result

print(add())       # => 0
print(add(1,2,3))  # => 6
print(add(9))      # => 9

def add(base, *args) on the other hand, accepts 1 or more arguments, base is the required argument here, any more argument provided after the 1st one will be stored in the tuple named args.

def add(base, *args):
    # this function accepts 1 (minimum) or more arguments
    result = base
    for i in args:
        result += i
    return result

print(add())      # => syntax error (expected at least 1 argument, 0 given)
print(add(2))     # => 2
print(add(2,5,3)) # => 10

Does that make sense? Feel free to tag me if you would like more explanation on the subject. Cheers.

youssef moustahib
youssef moustahib
2,303 Points

That was great thanks, cleared it all up for me!

Hsieh Gardner
Hsieh Gardner
2,599 Points
Hsieh Gardner
Hsieh Gardner
2,599 Points

Why does the "def add(*num)" need to type in "result = 0" but the"def add(base,*args) doesn't ?

Lauritz Patterson
Lauritz Patterson
1,207 Points

William Li this is a year later but this is SUCH a great explanation between the two. But why would you want to use one over the other. is there a benefit ? # def add(*nums): vs def add(base, *args):

Chapman Cheng
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Chapman Cheng
PHP Development Techdegree Graduate 46,936 Points

thanks that's explain alot

David Greenstein
David Greenstein
6,734 Points
David Greenstein
David Greenstein
6,734 Points

That doesnt answer the question? Taylor Espejo