I am learning about complex function in python.
I understand the input to the complex function complex(a, b) and will return a+ bi. What I don't understand is when I input in tuples form, complex((a, b)), it will return an error but if I use complex(*(a, b)) it will return a+ bi. so in this case, is the asterisk particularly part of complex function's argument when giving it as a tuple or is it performing some kind of operation? Thanks.
Function complex(a,b) needs two parameters in this case. When you run this function like complex((a,b)) you are only giving the function one parameter - which is a tuple with two elements. Asterisk used like this unpacks the iterable- tuple
The *-operator is used for argument unpacking.
You're not calling the function in the same way. Think of it this way:
complex(real=a, imaginary=b)
# vs.
complex(real=(a, b))
This is also why you see people write def fn(*args, **kwargs), it means that all arguments and keyword arguments will be unpacked.
