Python – Positional-Only Arguments

Hridhya Manoj — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:48:25 +0000

Table of Contents

Python will define a function, where one or more arguments won’t accept their values with the keywords. The argument is known as the Positional-only argument. Read this article to know more about Python – Positional-Only Arguments.

What are Positional only arguments in Python?

A positional argument is referred to as an argument that is passed to a function based on its position in the argument list.

However, Python’s built-in input function will be an example of a Positional argument. The syntax of the input function is given below:

input(prompt = "")

The prompt indicates the explanatory string for the benefit of the user. An example of this is given below:

name = input("enter your name ")

It is not possible to use the prompt keyword inside the parentheses.

   name = input (prompt="Enter your name ")
         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TypeError: input() takes no keyword arguments

It is required to use the ”/ ” symbol to make the argument positional only. Thus, every argument before the symbol is considered as position-only.

What is the example of a Positional-only Argument?

def multiply_numbers(x, y, /):
    """
    Function to multiply two numbers using positional-only arguments.

    Parameters:
    - x (int): The first number.
    - y (int): The second number.

    Returns:
    int: The product of x and y.
    """
    return x * y

# Example usage with positional-only arguments
result = multiply_numbers(4, 7)

# Output
print(f"The product is: {result}")

Output

The product is: 28

This example given above states that the ‘multiple_numbers’ has two parameters such as ‘x’ and ‘y’ and is referred to as the positional-only arguments. The forward slash (/)in the function definition will refer to all parameters before they need to be specified positionally.

Hence, during the function call, they will give value for ‘x’ and ‘y’ in the same order and the product will be printed as output.

Conclusion

To conclude, positional-only arguments are like a set of guidelines we follow when calling a function, providing inputs in a specific sequence. This systematic approach maintains clarity and precision in our code, allowing us to communicate effectively with functions by adhering to their expected positional order.

Python – Positional-Only Arguments-FAQs

Q1. How do you fix a positional argument in Python?

Ans. There are three ways to fix the syntax error. These are bypassing the keyword arguments after the positional arguments, Passing every argument as the Positional arguments, and Passing all the arguments as the Keyword argument.

Q2. What are positional arguments * args in Python?

Ans. In Python, we know that *args will be passed as the function parameter and that indicates that the function will have an arbitrary number of positional arguments.

Q3. Can we pass positional arguments in any order?

Ans. Yes, Keyword arguments can be passed in any order.

Hridhya Manoj

Hello, I’m Hridhya Manoj. I’m passionate about technology and its ever-evolving landscape. With a deep love for writing and a curious mind, I enjoy translating complex concepts into understandable, engaging content. Let’s explore the world of tech together