Argument order rules in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the correct order of arguments in a Python function definition?

The correct order is: positional arguments, default arguments, *args (variable positional arguments), keyword-only arguments, and **kwargs (variable keyword arguments).

beginner

Why must positional arguments come before default arguments in Python functions?

Because Python assigns values to arguments in order. If a default argument came before a positional one, Python wouldn't know which value belongs where.

beginner

What happens if you put a default argument before a positional argument in a function definition?

Python will raise a SyntaxError because default arguments must follow positional arguments.

intermediate

What is the role of *args and **kwargs in argument order?

*args collects extra positional arguments as a tuple, and **kwargs collects extra keyword arguments as a dictionary. They must come after positional and default arguments.

intermediate

How do keyword-only arguments fit into the argument order?

Keyword-only arguments come after *args and must be specified by name when calling the function. They can have default values.

Which of the following is the correct order of arguments in a Python function?

A positional, default, *args, keyword-only, **kwargs

B default, positional, *args, **kwargs, keyword-only

C *args, positional, default, **kwargs, keyword-only

D keyword-only, *args, positional, default, **kwargs

The correct order is positional, default, *args, keyword-only, then **kwargs.

What error occurs if a default argument is placed before a positional argument?

A SyntaxError

B TypeError

C ValueError

D NameError

Python raises a SyntaxError if default arguments come before positional arguments.

What does *args collect in a function?

A Only keyword-only arguments

B Extra keyword arguments as a dictionary

C Only default arguments

D Extra positional arguments as a tuple

*args collects extra positional arguments as a tuple.

Where do keyword-only arguments appear in the argument order?

A Before default arguments

B Before positional arguments

C After *args and before **kwargs

D After **kwargs

Keyword-only arguments come after *args and before **kwargs.

Which argument type must be specified by name when calling a function?

A Default arguments

B Keyword-only arguments

C Positional arguments

D *args

Keyword-only arguments must be specified by name when calling the function.

Explain the correct order of arguments in a Python function and why this order matters.

Think about how Python matches values to parameters when you call a function.

Describe the roles of *args and **kwargs in function arguments and their position in the argument order.

Consider how functions handle extra arguments beyond those explicitly named.