Keyword parameters

Learn to pass keyword parameters.

Keyword parameters

With keyword calls you can write the parameter name explicitly; order becomes irrelevant:

def introduce(name, age):
    print(name, age)

introduce(age=28, name="Ayse")  # Ayse 28

These calls are readable and safe. In functions with many parameters, the meaning of each value is clear.

Keyword calls also prevent order-related mistakes.

Mixed positional and keyword

A call can mix positional and keyword; but positional comes first, then keyword:

introduce("Ayse", age=28)   # valid
introduce(name="Ayse", 28)  # SyntaxError

Python requires this rule; otherwise a SyntaxError is raised. This rule is called positional-first.

Mixed calls are useful for readability; but you must respect the order.

Exercise Write a keyword call

Define a function called introduce with name and age parameters. The body does print(name, age). Call it with the keyword call introduce(age=28, name="Ayse").

Show example solution

def introduce(name, age):
    print(name, age)
introduce(age=28, name="Ayse")

Test yourself

Complete the keyword call

introduce(____=28, name="Ayse")

Show answer

introduce(age=28, name="Ayse")

Match keyword features

name="Ayse"

Keyword
order irrelevant

Advantage
SyntaxError

Positional after keyword
age=28

Keyword example
Which is a valid call?
- introduce(name="Ayse", 28)
- introduce(age=28, "Ayse")
- introduce(name="Ayse", age 28)
- introduce("Ayse", age=28)
Show answer

introduce("Ayse", age=28) — Positional first, then keyword.

Next lesson: Keyword-only

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