Parameter vs. Variable: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A parameter is a variable used to define a particular function or procedure. A variable is a value that can change, depending on conditions or information passed to the program.
Key Differences
A parameter is a variable used in the definition of a function or procedure, specifying the kind of data it can accept. A variable, on the other hand, is a storage location paired with an associated symbolic name, which contains some known or unknown quantity of information referred to as a value.
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In programming, a parameter acts as a placeholder in a function, where the value is provided during the function call. In contrast, a variable is used to store data that can be accessed and altered during program execution, making it a more dynamic element.
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Parameters serve to provide boundaries or guidelines for the functioning of a procedure or function. Variables, however, are the actual instances of data that are processed and manipulated within the program, making them integral to the logic and flow of the program.
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When defining a function, parameters represent potential inputs that dictate the function's behavior. Variables, in their broader application, represent any data point within a program, not limited to function or procedure scope.
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Parameters often provide a way to customize the functionality of a given procedure, whereas variables are more about storing and manipulating data within the code, offering flexibility and control over the program's state.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Placeholder in a function definition.
Storage location for data in a program.
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Scope
Limited to the function or procedure.
Can be global or local in the program.
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Function
Defines what a function can accept as input.
Stores and manages data used in computations.
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Mutability
Typically unchangeable during function execution.
Can be altered during program execution.
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Example
In def add(x, y), x and y are parameters.
In x = 5, x is a variable storing the value 5.
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Parameter and Variable Definitions
Parameter
A limit or boundary defining the scope of a particular process or activity.
The parameter of this research study is limited to adults over the age of 18.
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Variable
An element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change.
In the experiment, the temperature was the variable we altered.
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Parameter
A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.
In the equation y = mx + b, m and b are parameters defining the line.
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Variable
A data storage location in programming which can be assigned a value.
The variable count was used to keep track of the number of iterations.
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Parameter
An element or factor that determines the characteristics of something.
The key parameters of the experiment include temperature and pressure.
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Parameter
A characteristic or constant factor serving as a measure in a specific situation.
The machine's output is adjusted based on parameters like speed and feed rate.
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Parameter
A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.
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Variable
(Biology) Tending to exhibit genetic variation or variation in a physical trait
Geographically variable color patterns.
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Parameter
One of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point.
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Parameter
One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
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Parameter
Usage Problem A factor that restricts what is possible or what results
"all the parameters of shelter—where people will live, what mode of housing they will choose, and how they will pay for it" (New York).
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Parameter
A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary
An experimental school that keeps expanding the parameters of its curriculum.
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Parameter
(Statistics) A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population.
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Variable
A symbol representing such a quantity. For example, in the expression a2 + b2 = c2, a,b, and c are variables.
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Variable
Able to vary or be varied.
Variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity; a variable resistor
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Parameter
A value kept constant during an experiment, equation, calculation, or similar, but varied over other versions of the experiment, equation, calculation, etc.
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Parameter
(sciences) A variable that describes some system (material, object, event, etc.) or some aspect thereof.
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Parameter
(statistics) Any measured quantity of a statistical population that summarises or describes an aspect of the population.
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Parameter
(machine learning) A variable of a model that is trained by a machine learning algorithm.
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Parameter
(programming) An input variable of a function definition, that gets an actual value (argument) at execution time.
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Variable
Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.
There are several variables to consider here.
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Parameter
A characteristic or feature that distinguishes something from others.
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Parameter
(geometry) In the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.
The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section is called the latus rectum.
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Variable
(programming) A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.
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Parameter
(crystallography) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane.
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Parameter
(crystallography) The fundamental axial ratio for a given species.
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Parameter
A constant number which is part of a theory, function, or calculation, whose value is not determined by the form of the theory or equation itself, and may in some cases be arbitrary assigned.
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Variable
Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
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Parameter
A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family.
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Variable
Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity.
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Parameter
Any constant number which is required to calculate values of observed phenomena according to a theory, but the value of which must be determined by experiment, and cannot be calculated from the fundamental assumptions of the theory. In general, a theory which has a large number of parameters, though it may accurately predict experimental results, is considered as having less explanatory power and as being less esthetically pleasing than a theory with fewer parameters.
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Variable
Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable.
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
His heart, I know, how variable and vain!
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Parameter
The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species.
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Variable
That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject to change.
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Parameter
The limits, guidelines, or assumptions from within which an activity is carried out; as, new arrivals need to learn the parameters of the research in our department.
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Variable
A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.
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Parameter
A variable used in a calculation within a computer program which must be assigned a value before the calculation can be performed; as, let's plug in the parameters and see what the result is.
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Parameter
A characteristic or element, especially one used as a criterion for evaluation or judgment; as, a useful parameter for determining efficiency.
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Variable
Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation;
The weather is one variable to be considered
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Parameter
A constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves
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Parameter
Any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance
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Parameter
A quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data
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Variable
A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
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Parameter
A variable used in a function to refer to one of the pieces of data provided as input.
In the function calculate_area(length, width), length and width are parameters.
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Variable
Liable to or capable of change;
Rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable
Variable winds
Variable expenses
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Variable
Marked by diversity or difference;
The varying angles of roof slope
Nature is infinitely variable
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Variable
(used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied;
A variable capacitor
Variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights
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Variable
A symbol or name representing a quantity that can assume any of a set of values.
In the equation x + y = 10, x and y are variables.
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Variable
A factor in a situation that could be subject to variation.
In our financial model, the interest rate is a key variable.
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Variable
A characteristic or attribute that can assume different values in research or analysis.
Age and income were variables considered in the demographic survey.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How are variables used differently than parameters?
Variables are used for storing and manipulating data, while parameters are used to define the data a function can accept.
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Can parameters be variables?
Yes, parameters are a special kind of variable, used specifically in the context of functions and procedures.
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What is a variable in programming?
A variable is a named storage location in a program that can hold different values during the program's execution.
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Are parameters always required in functions?
Not always; some functions may not require parameters, while others may have optional parameters.
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Can a variable become a parameter?
Yes, when a variable is passed to a function, it acts as a parameter within that function.
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Are parameters limited to certain types?
Parameters can be of any data type, depending on the programming language and function design.
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What happens to variables outside of their scope?
Variables outside of their defined scope (like global or local) are either inaccessible or refer to different data.
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How are default values used in parameters?
Default values in parameters allow a function to be called without explicitly providing those parameters.
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Can a function have the same name as a parameter or variable?
While technically possible in some languages, it's not recommended due to potential confusion.
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What is a parameter in programming?
A parameter is a variable in a function or procedure definition, representing the type of data that function can receive.
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What is the role of variables in loops?
Variables in loops often act as counters or accumulate values over the iterations.
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How does changing a variable affect a program?
Changing a variable alters the data stored in it, which can affect how the program runs or the results it produces.
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Do parameters and variables have to be named differently?
Yes, to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in the code, they should have distinct names.
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Can parameters have default values?
Yes, in many programming languages, parameters can be assigned default values.
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What happens to local variables after the program exits their scope?
Local variables typically become inaccessible and their memory is freed up or reused.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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