Parameter (computer programming)

In computer science, parameters are stored names of information that we want to use for a subroutine.^[1] These pieces of information, called values, are then passed on to the subroutine to be used as arguments.^[1] Then these arguments can affect how the program will run.^[2]

Parameter (programming)

For example, in the following Python function:

def greet(name):

print("Hello, " + name + "!")

The word name is a parameter. When the function is called with a value (like "Alice"), the parameter name will hold that value and the function will use it to perform its action:

greet("Alice") # Outputs: Hello, Alice!

In this case, the parameter allows the function to personalize the greeting by using the value provided during the function call.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Sequence - Programming constructs - OCR - GCSE Computer Science Revision - OCR".
2. ↑ "What is parameter? - Definition from WhatIs.com". WhatIs.com.