Function argument
A function argument is a value or expression supplied when a function or method is invoked, providing input to the called operation.
A Pythonic Adventure: From Python basics to a working web app
A function argument is a value supplied to a function call for the function to operate on.
- How it is used
- Uses arguments to give print(), input(), and reusable menu functions the information they need.
- How deep it goes
- Explains passing strings, numbers, and variables through calls, then works through a three-argument menu function with defaults.
- Examples
- Demonstrates print and input prompts, then a coffee-shop menu selecting drinks, flavors, and toppings.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch by writing and calling a menu function that accepts choices, titles, and prompts.
Read how A Pythonic Adventure: From Python basics to a working web app explains function argument →
The Well-Grounded Rubyist, Fourth Edition
A Ruby argument is a value supplied to a method call and is distinct from a supplied block.
- How it is used
- Uses arguments to supply objects to Ruby method calls, including conversions, array operations, and proc calls.
- How deep it goes
- Defines arguments against formal parameters, works through required and optional counts, and explains object references; leaves lambda argument rules undeveloped.
- Examples
- Illustrates arguments with Celsius conversion, wrong-count errors, rest arrays, default values, string mutation, and proc calls.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch by defining method parameters, supplying matching arguments, and choosing rest or default parameters when calls vary.
Read how The Well-Grounded Rubyist, Fourth Edition explains function argument →
Python Workout, Second Edition
A function argument is a value supplied to a function call for use by the corresponding parameter.
- How it is used
- Uses arguments to pass fixed, optional, variable-length, or named values into Python functions.
- How deep it goes
- Explains defaults, tuple collection, iterable unpacking, and dictionary-based keyword processing, stopping short of deeper call mechanics.
- Examples
- Uses a variable-argument summation function and an XML-tag function with optional content and keyword-generated attributes.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Python function calls that pass optional values, unpack iterables, or supply arbitrary keyword pairs.
Read how Python Workout, Second Edition explains function argument →
Statistics Slam Dunk
A function argument is an input value supplied to a function when it is invoked.
- How it is used
- Uses supplied input values to control what a function does when it runs.
- How deep it goes
- Defines arguments, distinguishes them from function bodies and return values, and demonstrates a missing-argument error.
- Examples
- Uses pivot_wider(), r_to_rsquared(), and gini.est() calls to show supplied inputs, outputs, and missing arguments.
- What you can do after
- Apply R functions by supplying required inputs and interpreting their returned values.
The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask
An argument is a value supplied to a function or method when it is called.
- How it is used
- Uses arguments to pass information from calling code into functions and methods through an API contract.
- How deep it goes
- Defines arguments and parameters, then demonstrates positional, keyword, variadic, and default arguments through print.
- Examples
- Uses print calls with one or multiple strings and examines the print signature’s sep, end, file, and flush parameters.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Python function calls to pass values positionally or by keyword and customize print output.
Related concepts
- function parametercontrasts with · A function parameter is a named input declared in a function definition that receives a corresponding argument value when the function is called.
- inputcontrasts with · An input is a value, information, or signal supplied to a system, computation, or interface for processing or to influence its behavior.
- functionused by · A function is a callable program unit that performs an operation, may accept inputs, and can produce a result or side effect.
- rest operatorused by · In JavaScript, rest syntax uses three dots to collect remaining function arguments, array elements, or object properties into a single binding.
- callused by · A function call is an operation or expression that invokes a function or other callable, optionally supplies arguments, and initiates its execution.
- higher-order functionused by · A higher-order function is a function that accepts functions as arguments, returns functions as results, or both.
These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.




