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Glite Dictionary
🧠 A logical point 💻 A correct input
valid argument

valid argument

4.8
A value given to a computer program or function that meets required rules
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : argumento válido
  • When developing software, ensure that all inputs are valid arguments to avoid errors during execution.

Examples

  • The bottom line is that there's no statistically valid argument that the current multidecadal rising trend can be definitively said to have paused based on the current decadal trend.

    Blog text (10)

  • So the way to proper way to think of that is to think of what is the what are valid arguments you can pass to the function.

  • In programming, a valid argument is one that meets the specified requirements of the function being used.

  • To call the function correctly, you need to provide a valid argument that fits the expected data type.

Synonyms

parameter
vsvalid argument
  • Specialized
22 6.6

A value given to a function to change how it works

is the passed value that meets required type format and range checks

Surface Forms

valid argument singular
valid arguments plural

Morphology

valid + argument

Using everyday senses, 'valid' (acceptable) + 'argument' (a reason) yields 'an acceptable reason', which does not transparently map onto the technical computing sense of a function parameter. The programming meaning relies on a domain-specific sense of 'argument' (parameter) that a B1 learner who only knows the common-word meanings would not predict, so prior exposure or technical knowledge is required.

Etymology

Valid argument in computer programs is like a shaped piece that must fit a machine's hole: a valid argument is a piece of data that fits the program's rules and will be 'accepted'. So it means an input or value that meets the rules and will work in the program.