Laura Stewart wrote: > The Derby documentation needs to be accurate with regard to it's use > of the terms "parameter" and "argument". So I want to be certain that > I have an accurate understanding of the difference between parameters > and arguments.
Hi, Laura, I confess to being someone who often uses the two interchangeably. This link ratifies your understanding (an argument is the value): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parameter_(computer_science) -jean > It is my understanding that the syntax (or declaration) of the > procedure defines the parameters. And an argument represents the > value you supply to a parameter when you call the procedure. There are > IN, OUT, and INOUT arguments. > > For example, in the Derby IMPORT procedure > SYSCS_UTIL.SYSCS_IMPORT_TABLE, the syntax is: > > SYSCS_UTIL.SYSCS_IMPORT_TABLE (schemaName, tableName, fileName, > columnDelimiter, characterDelimiter, codeset, replace) > > These are the parameter names. Yes? And when you supply the values, > those values are arguments. Yes? So should the topic "Arguments to > the import procedures" which describes the schemaName, tableName, etc > be called "Arguments to ..." or "Parameters to.." ??? > > In my mind, it should be called "Parameters to the import procedures" > well actually "Parameters for the import procedures" bur that is a > separate issue :-) > > Please help me have a clear understanding of the terms "parameter" > and "argument". Thanks! >
