Introduction to Positional Arguments

Positional arguments in Python are function arguments that must be passed in the correct order as defined in the function signature. The position in which the arguments are provided determines which values are assigned to which parameters. Understanding positional arguments is essential for writing clear and efficient Python functions.

What are Positional Arguments in Python?

In Python, a positional argument assigns a value to a function parameter based on its position in the function call. The function requires these arguments in the correct order to work properly.

Syntax of Positional Arguments

def function_name(param1, param2, param3):
    # Function body

When calling the function, you must pass values in the same order as the parameters.

function_name(value1, value2, value3)

How Positional Arguments Work in Python

1. The function definition specifies parameters in a specific order.
2. The function call must provide arguments in the same order.

Example Code for Positional Arguments

Here’s a simple example of using positional arguments in a function:

def greet(name, age):
    print(f"Hello {name}, you are {age} years old.")

greet("Alice", 25)  # Correct order
greet(25, "Alice")  # Incorrect order, may lead to logical errors

Output :

Hello Alice, you are 25 years old.
Hello 25, you are Alice years old.  # Incorrect output due to swapped arguments

Practical Example of Positional Arguments

A real-world example: calculating the area of a rectangle using positional arguments.

def rectangle_area(length, width):
    return length * width

area = rectangle_area(5, 10)
print("Area of the rectangle:", area)

Output :

Area of the rectangle: 50

Here, 5 is assigned to length and 10 is assigned to width based on their position.

Use Cases for Positional Arguments in Python

Mathematical calculations – Using positional arguments to pass numbers for arithmetic operations.
String formatting – Providing values for placeholders in formatted strings.
Data processing – Functions that require fixed-order inputs like file paths and data parameters.

Best Practices for Using Positional Arguments

• To avoid errors, you should ensure that you pass arguments in the same order as they are defined by the function.
• Additionally, using meaningful names for parameters helps improve readability and makes the code easier to understand.

Comparison with Keyword Arguments

Common Interview Questions

1️⃣ What are positional arguments, and how do they work?
📌 Positional arguments, on the other hand, are assigned based on their position in the function call.

Companies: Infosys, TCS, Capgemini

2️⃣ What happens if you provide fewer positional arguments than required in a function?
📌 Python raises a TypeError because the function expects a specific number of arguments.

Companies: Wipro, Cognizant, Oracle

3️⃣ How are positional arguments different from keyword arguments in Python?
📌 Positional arguments depend on order, while keyword arguments are explicitly assigned using parameter names.

Companies: Amazon, Microsoft, IBM

4️⃣ Write a Python function using positional arguments to calculate the sum of three numbers.
📌 The function should take three inputs in a specific order and return the sum.

Companies: Google, HCL, JPMorgan Chase

Additional Resources

📚 Python Documentation on Functions: Python Official Docs

Conclusion

Positional arguments are a fundamental concept in Python that dictate the order in which function arguments must be passed. They provide a simple and efficient way to define function parameters but require careful attention to argument order. While they are useful for functions with a fixed number of parameters, they can become problematic in complex functions where readability and flexibility are essential. By understanding when to use positional arguments and how they compare with keyword arguments, developers can write more effective and maintainable Python code.