5 Types of Arguments in Python Function Definition:
Python Function Definition:
Formal parameters are mentioned in the function definition. Actual parameters(arguments) are passed during a function call. We can define a function with a variable number of arguments. 1. default arguments:
Example: In the below example, the default value is given to argument def add(a,b=5,c=10): This function can be called in 3 ways
print(add(3)) 2. Giving one of the optional arguments. print(add(3,4)) 3. Giving all the arguments print(add(2,3,4)) Note: Default values are evaluated only once at the point of the function definition in the defining scope. So, it makes a difference when we pass mutable objects like a list or dictionary as default values. 2. Keyword Arguments:Functions can also be called using keyword arguments of the form During a function call, values passed through arguments need not be in the order of parameters in the function definition. This can be achieved by keyword arguments. But all the keyword arguments should match the parameters in the function definition. Example: def add(a,b=5,c=10): Calling the function
print (add(b=10,c=15,a=20)) 2. During a function call, only giving mandatory argument as a keyword argument. Optional default arguments are skipped. print (add(a=10)) 3. Positional ArgumentsDuring a function call, values passed through arguments should be in the order of parameters in the function definition. This is called positional arguments. Keyword arguments should follow positional arguments only. Example: def add(a,b,c): The above function can be called in two ways:
print (add(10,20,30)) 2. Giving a mix of positional and keyword arguments, keyword arguments should always follow positional arguments print (add(10,c=30,b=20)) default vs positional vs keyword arguments: Important points to remember: 1. default arguments should follow non-default arguments def add(a=5,b,c): 2. keyword arguments should follow positional arguments def add(a,b,c): 3. All the keyword arguments passed must match one of the arguments accepted by the function and their order is not important. def add(a,b,c): 4. No argument should receive a value more than once def add(a,b,c): 5. Default arguments are optional arguments Example 1: Giving only the mandatory arguments def add(a,b=5,c=10): Example 2: Giving all arguments (optional and mandatory arguments) def add(a,b=5,c=10): Variable-length argumentsVariable-length arguments are also known as arbitrary arguments. If we don’t know the number of arguments needed for the function in advance, we can use arbitrary arguments Two types of arbitrary arguments
4. arbitrary positional arguments:For arbitrary positional argument, an asterisk (*) is placed before a parameter in function definition which can hold non-keyword variable-length arguments. These arguments will be wrapped up in a tuple. Before the variable number of arguments, zero or more normal arguments may occur. def add(*b): 5.arbitrary keyword arguments:For arbitrary positional argument, a double asterisk (**) is placed before a parameter in a function which can hold keyword variable-length arguments. Example: def fn(**a): Special Parameters:As per the Python Documentation:
A function definition may look like: where
1. Positional or keyword argumentsIf def add(a,b,c): 2. Positional only parameters Positional-only parameters are placed before a def add(a,b,/,c,d): If we specify keyword arguments for positional only arguments, it will raise TypeError. def add(a,b,/,c,d): 3. Keyword only argumentsTo mark parameters as keyword-only, place an def add(a,b,*,c,d): If we specify positional arguments for keyword-only arguments it will raise TypeError. def add(a,b,*,c,d): All 3 calling conventions are used in the same function In the below-given example, the function
def add(a,b,/,c,*,d):
Important points to remember:
Watch this space for more articles on Python and DataScience. If you like to read more of my tutorials, follow me on Medium, LinkedIn, Twitter. Thanks for reading! Level Up CodingThanks for being a part of our community! Level Up is transforming tech recruiting. Find your perfect job at the best companies. What are the 3 types of arguments in Python?Hence, we conclude that Python Function Arguments and its three types of arguments to functions. These are- default, keyword, and arbitrary arguments.
What are the types of arguments in Python?5 Types of Arguments in Python Function Definitions. default arguments.. keyword arguments.. positional arguments.. arbitrary positional arguments.. arbitrary keyword arguments.. What are the 4 types of functions in Python?The following are the different types of Python Functions:. Python Built-in Functions.. Python Recursion Functions.. Python Lambda Functions.. Python User-defined Functions.. What are arguments in python?The terms parameter and argument can be used for the same thing: information that are passed into a function. From a function's perspective: A parameter is the variable listed inside the parentheses in the function definition. An argument is the value that are sent to the function when it is called.
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