I have been learning JavaScript for a while now and have come across functions. In functions we have something known as arguments and parameters. I would like to clearly know the difference between the two (if there’s any).
You define the parameters of a function once while you call the arguments multiply times. That is one difference I know.
free explained in my words:
A function is just a block of code that I write once and use it whenever I need it. This block of code is getting parameters just to clarify what expect to work with. And later on I use the arguments of a function whenever I use this function.
Parameters are used in the definition of the function
function add(x, y) {
return x + y;
}
There are two parameters and they are called x
and y
.
Arguments are the actual values that get passed in when a function is called
add(1, 2);
The arguments are 1
and 2
In sentences:
The function
add
has two parameters,x
andy
, which represent numbers.
The function
add
takes two arguments, both numbers.
Edit: Note this is a bit different to in maths: what’s called “parameters” in CS is called “arguments” in maths; parameters are a different thing.
So is it similar to the concept of Actual arguments and Formal arguments in C language ? I mean as you have explained I can see that the parameters in a Javascript function can be thought of as Formal arguments of C and arguments can be thought of as Actual arguments of C language. Does it make sense ?
That might be somewhat dated language.
I wouldn’t loose too much sleep on the distinction, personally.
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