Actual parameter: Difference between revisions

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In [[computer science]], an '''actual parameter''' is a name or value passed to a subroutine.  This is not to be confused with a [[formal parameter]], which is the name by which the subroutine refers actual parameter.  For example, in the [[C programming language]],
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In [[computer science]], an '''actual parameter''' is a name or value passed to a subroutine.  This is in contrast to a [[formal parameter]], which is the name by which the subroutine refers actual parameter.  For example, in [[C (programming language)|C]],


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The subroutine bar() calls foo().  When bar() calls foo(), it passes the constant 1.  Within bar(), 1 is an actual parameter to foo().  Within foo(), a is a formal parameter which references the actual parameter 1 from bar().
The subroutine bar() calls foo().  When bar() calls foo(), it passes the constant 1.  Within bar(), 1 is an actual parameter to foo().  Within foo(), a is a formal parameter which references the actual parameter 1 from bar().
 
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Latest revision as of 06:01, 6 July 2024

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In computer science, an actual parameter is a name or value passed to a subroutine. This is in contrast to a formal parameter, which is the name by which the subroutine refers actual parameter. For example, in C,

int foo(int a)
{
   int b = 5;

   return a + b;
}

int bar(void)
{
   return foo(1);
}


The subroutine bar() calls foo(). When bar() calls foo(), it passes the constant 1. Within bar(), 1 is an actual parameter to foo(). Within foo(), a is a formal parameter which references the actual parameter 1 from bar().

References