DifferenceModerate2 marks
Differentiate between formal parameter and actual parameter.
Topic: Formal and actual parameters
Previous-year question practice database
Answer
Exam answer
The difference is shown in the table.
Explanation
Fix them by WHERE each appears — formal in the definition, actual in the call. That single distinction answers the question. Give the paired example, since it makes the difference unmistakable in one line. Note that actual parameters are also called arguments, which is worth mentioning as the two terms are used interchangeably.
Comparison
| Formal parameter | Actual parameter |
|---|---|
| The variable listed in the method DEFINITION, which receives the value. | The value or variable passed in the method CALL. |
| Example: in void show(int n) the parameter n is formal. | Example: in ob.show(25) the value 25 is the actual parameter (also called an argument). |
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