Variable-length arguments (*args) in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does *args mean in a Python function?

*args allows a function to accept any number of positional arguments as a tuple.

beginner

How do you access the third argument passed using *args?

You access it like a tuple element: args[2] (index starts at 0).

beginner

Can a function have both regular parameters and *args?

Yes, regular parameters come first, then *args to catch extra positional arguments.

beginner

What type is args inside the function when using *args?

args is a tuple containing all extra positional arguments passed.

beginner

Write a simple function using *args that prints all arguments.

def print_all(*args): for arg in args: print(arg)

What does *args collect inside a function?

A A dictionary of keyword arguments

B A tuple of extra positional arguments

C A list of all arguments

D A single string argument

*args collects extra positional arguments as a tuple.

How do you define a function that accepts any number of positional arguments?

A def func(args):

B def func(args*):

C def func(**args):

D def func(*args):

Use *args to accept variable positional arguments.

If a function is defined as def f(a, *args):, what happens when you call f(1, 2, 3)?

A Error because of too many arguments

B a=(1, 2, 3), args=empty

C a=1, args=(2, 3)

D a=1, args=2

The first argument goes to a, the rest go into args tuple.

What is the type of args inside the function?

A tuple

B list

C dict

D set

args is always a tuple.

Can *args be used to accept keyword arguments?

A No, <code>**kwargs</code> is for keyword arguments

B Yes, <code>*args</code> accepts keywords

C Only if keywords are strings

D Only if keywords are numbers

*args is for positional arguments; **kwargs is for keyword arguments.

Explain how *args works in a Python function and give an example.

Think about how to catch extra inputs without naming them all.

Describe the difference between regular parameters and *args in function definitions.

Consider how many arguments each can take.