Parameter
A named input that a function command API or system definition accepts to control behavior.
Plain English
A value slot supplied to make an operation work in a particular way.
In context
Parameters have names types allowed values defaults and validation rules that form part of an interface contract.
Example
“The function accepts a locale parameter to format the response.”
When you'll hear this
- API design
- programming
- configuration
Common misunderstanding
Parameter and argument are often used interchangeably but strictly a parameter is defined by an interface while an argument is the supplied value.
Also known as
function parameterAPI parameter
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-27
