Variadic arguments

As explained in The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask

A variadic positional parameter is a function parameter that collects an arbitrary number of positional arguments.

def full_name(fname, *names):
    return " ".join([fname, *names])

How The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask covers it

How deep it goes

Defines the * syntax and tuple collection, then contrasts flexible argument lists with explicit named parameters.

Examples

Uses Python’s print function and a full_name function that joins one required name with collected additional names.

What it assumes

Assumes familiarity with function parameters and defaults, while explaining variable positional collection from its syntax onward.

What you can do after

Build it into functions that accept multiple similar positional values while recognizing when named parameters communicate intent better.

How it connects

Connects positional arguments with parameters, tuples, keyword parameters, and explicit API design.

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Also explained in

• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Modern C, Third EditionA variadic parameter is the ellipsis-based parameter portion of a C function declaration that accepts additional arguments.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Python How-Toargs is the conventional parameter name for a function parameter that collects a variable-length sequence of positional arguments.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Python Workout, Second EditionA variadic positional parameter collects an arbitrary number of positional arguments into a tuple.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Modern CA variadic function is a C function that accepts a variable number of arguments through an ellipsis in its parameter list.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  100 Java Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Write Powerful Rust MacrosVariadic arguments are function-call arguments whose number is determined at the call site rather than fixed by the declaration.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Go by ExampleA variadic function is a function that accepts a variable number of arguments through a variadic parameter represented inside the function as a slice.

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Related concepts

• functionkind of · A function is a callable program unit that performs an operation, may accept inputs, and can produce a result or side effect.
• variadic macroalternative to · A variadic macro is a function-like C preprocessor macro whose parameter list accepts a variable number of arguments through an ellipsis.
• tupleproduces · A tuple is a finite, ordered collection of elements treated as a single composite value or record.
• va_startuses · va_start is a C and C++ macro that initializes a variable argument list for accessing a function’s variable arguments.
• splat operatorused by · A splat operator is language syntax that expands an iterable into multiple arguments or gathers multiple arguments into one parameter.
• positional argumentuses · A positional argument is a function argument associated with a parameter according to its ordinal position in the call rather than its name.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.