Arizona State University (ASU) CSE240 Introduction to Programming Languages Midterm Practice Exam

The distinction between formal parameters and actual parameters is central to understanding how functions operate in programming languages. Formal parameters are defined within the function’s declaration, establishing a way to receive values that will be used in that function. They serve as placeholders that represent the data a function takes when it is called.

In contrast, actual parameters are the real values or references that you pass to the function when you invoke it. These can be literals, variables, or expressions that get matched to the function’s formal parameters.

Therefore, saying that formal parameters are specified in function definitions and actual parameters are passed during function calls aptly captures this difference. This understanding is crucial for writing and debugging code effectively, as it clarifies how data flows into and out of functions.

The other options do not accurately depict the relationship between these two types of parameters, which is why they do not represent the correct concept. This distinction is foundational in the use of functions across various programming languages, making it necessary to grasp fully in any introductory programming course.