引数(ひきすう)

ひきすう
noun
argument; parameter
technical
1. argument; parameter (in programming or mathematics)
A value passed to a function, method, or command. In programming, the input data that a function receives to produce a result. Also used in mathematics for the independent variable of a function.
This function takes two arguments.
引数(ひきすう)に文字列(もじれつ)を渡(わた)してください。
Please pass a string as the argument.
An error occurred because the number of arguments was wrong.

Usage

Primarily a technical term used in programming and mathematics. Pronounced ひきすう, not いんすう (which means "factor" in math). Very common in Japanese programming documentation.

Common collocations

  • 引数(ひきすう)を渡(わた)す (to pass an argument)
  • 引数(ひきすう)を取(と)る (to take an argument)
  • 省略可能(しょうりゃくかのう)な引数(ひきすう) (optional argument)
  • コマンドライン引数(ひきすう) (command-line argument)

Similar words

  • パラメータ: parameter — often used interchangeably, but technically the variable name in a function definition
  • 戻(もど)り値(ち): return value — the output of a function, as opposed to the input