Formal parameters: Difference between revisions

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imported>Nick Johnson
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imported>Pat Palmer
(redirecting to Formal_parameter (duplication articles))
 
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In [[computer science]], a '''formal parameter''' is a name by which a subroutine refers to one of its parameters.  This is not to be confused with an [[actual parameter]], which is the name or value passed to the function by the caller.  For example, in the [[C programming language]],
#REDIRECT [[Formal parameter]]
 
<code>
int foo(int a)
{
    int b = 5;
    return a + b;
}
int bar(void)
{
    return foo(1);
}
</code>
 
 
The subroutine bar() calls foo().  When bar() calls foo(), it passes the constant 1.  Within bar(), 1 is an actual parameter to foo().  Within foo(), a is a formal parameter which references the actual parameter 1 from bar(). 
 
[[Category: Computers Workgroup]]
[[Category: CZ Live]]

Latest revision as of 20:48, 12 May 2007

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