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Python Python Basics (2015) Logic in Python Print "hi"

Alexander Alcaraz
Alexander Alcaraz
550 Points
Posted by Alexander Alcaraz
Alexander Alcaraz
550 Points

What is an argument?

So I went over the video and have a decent understanding of a function. However, now it's asking me to multiply "Hi " with as many times as an argument 'count' is. I did a little digging on the net and it points back to index. So I figured, "Oh!, I know that" and I count from 0 - 4. Now I'm multiplying by 4 hoping that it'll work but it doesn't I feel like I'm missing something so simple. I mean the video didn't mention arguments I don't think...

printer.py 
def printer(count):
    print("Hi ") * 4

printer()

3 Answers

Kurt Maurer
Kurt Maurer
16,725 Points

Hi Alexander,

There's an important distinction here when defining and using functions. When defining a function, the variables you pass into the parentheses are the parameters. 

def printer(count): # count is a parameter

When you call the function, the variable you pass into the parentheses is called on argument.

printer(5) # 5 is an argument

They are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are technically not the same thing.

In your function, you need ('Hi ' * count) to get your desired output. Right now, your definition has a parameter it doesn't use, and it will always print 'Hi ' 4 times (needs to be 5 times). I hope this helps!

Kurt Maurer
Kurt Maurer
16,725 Points

For more, see this Stack Overflow post:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/156767/whats-the-difference-between-an-argument-and-a-parameter

Jon Wood
Jon Wood
9,884 Points
Jon Wood
Jon Wood
9,884 Points

The count is the parameter to the printer method. You're probably getting an error that the printer method takes only one argument while you're passing it none. Pass in an integer argument and modify the method to use the count parameter, and you should be good to go!