"Parameter" vs "Argument"

function parameters language-agnostic arguments terminology
dummy picture dummy · Nov 24, 2009 · Viewed 305.7k times · Source

I got parameter and argument kind of mixed up and did not really pay attention to when to use one and when to use the other.

Can you please tell me?

Answer

tranmq picture tranmq · Nov 24, 2009

A parameter is the variable which is part of the method’s signature (method declaration). An argument is an expression used when calling the method.

Consider the following code:

void Foo(int i, float f)
{
    // Do things
}

void Bar()
{
    int anInt = 1;
    Foo(anInt, 2.0);
}

Here i and f are the parameters, and anInt and 2.0 are the arguments.

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