Are default argument values perceived as keyword arguments by Python? I'm not able understand the distinction
I can't understand this thread: Normal arguments vs. keyword arguments
On a side note, most tutorials and video series seemed to be geared towards Python 2.*. Should I learn Python 3 instead Python 2 or can I make the transition later easily? I'm just learning this out of curiosity.
Thanks in advance.
Both concepts are (mostly) distinct.
On function definition side, you have named parameters which have names, and you have variadic extensions, one for positional arguments (giving a tuple) and one for keyboard arguments (giving a dict).
Example:
def f(a, b=5, *c, **d): return a, b, c, d
This function has two named parameters (aand b) which can be used positional or via keyword. c and d take all others given.
You can call this function with positional arguments as well as with keyword arguments.
f(1)
f(a=1)
both return
1, 5, (), {}
because positional and keyword arguments are assigned to the named parameters.
You can as well do
f(a=5, foo=12) or f(5, foo=12) # -> 5, 5, (), {'foo': 12}
f(1, 2, 3) # -> 1, 2, (3,), {}
In the last example, the positional arguments 1 and 2 are given to the named parameters a and b; the exceeding 3 is put into the tuple c.
You cannot do
f(b=90) # no value for a
f(12, a=90) # two values for a
If there are still unclearities, please let me know.
From what I see people tend to use both term interchangeably
I see that this question is quite old , but will add my two-cents anyway.
The term Default-Arguments ( a.k.a "Default-Parameters") is the term you will generally use while defining your function; within the header of the def statement:
When defining your function you can view it in your head as follows:
def function1(positional_parameter, default_parameter="default-output"):
pass
However you will generally use the term "Keyword-Argument" when you're attempting to call a function.
when calling the function you can view it in your head as follows:
function1(positional_argument, keyword_argument="change-output")
