Computer Science
When the terms formal parameter and actual parameter are used, they generally correspond with the definitions used in computer science. In the definition of a function such as
- f(x) = x + 2,
x is a formal parameter. When the function is used as in
- y = f(3) + 5 or just the value of f(3),
3 is the actual parameter value that is substituted for the formal parameter in the function definition. These concepts are discussed in a more precise way in functional programming and its foundational disciplines, lambda calculus and combinatory logic.
In computing, parameters are often called arguments, and the two words are used interchangeably. However, some computer languages such as C define argument to mean actual parameter (i.e., the value), and parameter to mean formal parameter.
Read more about this topic: Parametric Operator
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