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Python Function Parameters: Types and Examples

Python Function Parameters: In this tutorial, we will learn about the different types of parameters/arguments in Python function definitions along with the help of examples. By Pankaj Singh Last updated : December 30, 2023

There are the following types of Python function parameters:

1. Required parameters
2. Default parameters
3. Keyword/named parameters
4. Variable length parameters

1. Python Required Parameters

If we define a function in python with parameters, so while calling that function – it is must send those parameters because they are Required parameters.

Example of required parameters in Python

# Required parameter
def show(id,name):
    print("Your id is :",id,"and your name is :",name)

show(12,"deepak")
# show() #error
# show(12) #error

Output

Your id is : 12 and your name is : deepak

2. Python Default Parameters

If we define the parameters as default parameters, there will not any error occurred even you do not pass the parameter or pass the less parameters.

Example of default parameters in Python

# Default parameters
def show(id="<no id>",name="<no name>"):
    print("Your id is :",id,"and your name is :",name)

show(12,"deepak")
show()
show(12)

Output

Your id is : 12 and your name is : deepak
Your id is : <no id> and your name is : <no name>
Your id is : 12 and your name is : <no name>

3. Python Keyword/Named Parameters

Python has dynamic types – so if we send parameters in the wrong sequence, it will accept the values due to dynamic typing. But, this data is not correct so to prevent this, we use keyword/named parameter.

Example of keyword/named parameters in Python

# keyword/named parameters
def show(id="<no id>",name="<no name>"):
    print("Your id is :",id,"and your name is :",name)

# defualt/correct sequance 	
show(12,"deepak")
# sequence with the keywords
# there is no need to rememeber the parameters sequences
# provide the value with the name/argument name
show(name="priya",id=34)

Output

Your id is : 12 and your name is : deepak
Your id is : 34 and your name is : priya

4. Python Variable Length Parameters

By using *args, we can pass any number of arguments to the function in python.

Example of variable length parameters in Python

# Variable length parameters 
def sum(*data):
    s=0
    for item in data:
       s+=item
    print("Sum :",s)

sum()
sum(12)
sum(12,4)
sum(12,4,6)
sum(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
sum(12,45,67,78,90,56)

Output

Sum : 0
Sum : 12
Sum : 16
Sum : 22
Sum : 36
Sum : 348

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