Parameters (OCR A-Level Computer Science): Flashcards

Variables used to pass data into functions or procedures

Placeholder defined in function/procedure definition

Actual value passed when function is called

Arguments passed in same order as parameters defined

Parameters with default values if no argument provided

Arguments passed using parameter names, can be out of order

Copy of argument's value passed to function

Changes in function don't affect original argument

Reference to original argument passed to function

Changes in function affect original argument

Safer - original data not modified, avoids side effects

Efficient - no extra memory for copies

To modify original data or pass large data structures