What is the Difference Between Argument and Parameter?

The difference between an argument and a parameter lies in their roles within a function. Here are the key distinctions:

• Argument: An argument is a value passed during the function invocation. It is also known as an actual argument or actual parameter. Arguments are used in function call statements to send values from the calling function to the receiving function.
• Parameter: A parameter is a variable defined in the function declaration. It is also known as a formal argument or formal parameter. Parameters are used in the function header of the called function to receive the value from the calling function.

In summary:

1. Arguments are values passed to a function when it is called.
2. Parameters are variables defined in the function declaration to receive the values passed by the calling function.

Some programming languages may allow the terms "argument" and "parameter" to be used interchangeably, but it is generally recommended to use the correct term to avoid confusion. In cases where the distinction between arguments and parameters is important, the terms "actual argument/parameter" and "formal argument/parameter" can be used to disambiguate.

Comparative Table: Argument vs Parameter

The difference between an argument and a parameter can be summarized in the following table:

While the terms "argument" and "parameter" are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings. An argument is the actual value passed to a function, while a parameter is a placeholder for the value that will be passed to the function.