Argument
An argument is a value passed to a function when the function is called. Whenever any function is called during the execution of the program there are some values passed with the function. These values are called arguments. An argument when passed with a function replaces with those variables which were used during the function definition and the function is then executed with these values. Let’s look at some examples for easy understanding:
Example:
Java
public class Example { public static int multiply(int a, int b) { return a * b; } public static void main(String[] args) { int x = 2; int y = 5; // the variables x and y are arguments int product = multiply(x, y); System.out.println("PRODUCT IS: " + product); }} |
Output:
PRODUCT IS: 10
In the above example in the functionthe variable x and y are the arguments
the variable x and y are the argumentsParameters
A parameter is a variable used to define a particular value during a function definition. Whenever we define a function we introduce our compiler with some variables that are being used in the running of that function. These variables are often termed as Parameters. The parameters and arguments mostly have the same value but theoretically, are different from each other.
Example:
Java
public class Example { // the variables a and b are parameters public static int multiply(int a, int b) { return a * b; } public static void main(String[] args) { int x = 2; int y = 5; int product = multiply(x, y); System.out.println("PRODUCT IS:" + product); }} |
Output:
PRODUCT IS: 10
In the above example in the functionthe variable a and b are the parameters
the variable a and b are the parametersDifference between an Argument and a Parameter
| Argument | Parameter |
|---|---|
| When a function is called, the values that are passed in the call are called arguments. | The values which are written at the time of the function prototype and the definition of the function. |
| These are used in function call statement to send value from the calling function to the called function. | These are used in function header of the called function to receive the value from the arguments. |
| During the time of call each argument is always assigned to the parameter in the function definition. | Parameters are local variables which are assigned value of the arguments when the function is called |
| They are also called Actual Parameters | They are also called Formal Parameters |
