Parameters vs arguments; positional, keyword and mixed argument passing

The words parameter and argument are often used loosely, but the exam uses them precisely. A parameter is the name listed in the function definition; it exists only inside the function. An argument is the actual value you pass when calling the function. In def area(width, height):, width and height are parameters; in area(3, 4), 3 and 4 are arguments. When the function is called, each parameter is bound to its argument, and the parameter then behaves like a local variable for the duration of that call. A handy memory aid: parameters are placeholders in the definition, arguments are actual values in the call.