Python Keyword Arguments

Overview

Keyword arguments in Python allow you to pass arguments to a function by explicitly stating the parameter name. This enhances code readability and provides greater flexibility in how arguments are supplied.

Key Concepts

• Definition: Keyword arguments are arguments that are passed to a function by specifying the parameter name along with its value.
• Syntax: When calling a function, you can specify arguments using the format parameter_name=value.
• Benefits:
  • Improved Readability: Clearly indicates what value is being assigned to each parameter.
  • Order Independence: Allows you to pass arguments in any order when using keyword arguments.

Example

Function Definition

def greet(name, greeting="Hello"):
    print(f"{greeting}, {name}!")

Calling the Function

Using keyword arguments:

greet(name="Charlie")    # Output: Hello, Charlie!
greet(greeting="Hey", name="Diana")  # Output: Hey, Diana!

Using positional arguments:

greet("Alice")            # Output: Hello, Alice!
greet("Bob", "Hi")       # Output: Hi, Bob!

Important Notes

• You can mix positional and keyword arguments, but positional arguments must come first in the function call.
• If you specify a keyword argument, you can skip positional arguments that come after it.

Conclusion

Keyword arguments are a powerful feature in Python that enhance the clarity and flexibility of function calls. They are particularly useful in functions with many parameters or when you want to provide default values.