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Python Functions, Packing, and Unpacking Packing and Unpacking Packing, a Practical Example

Ryan Dyke
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Ryan Dyke
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 6,630 Points

Does * also work with other words for parameters? So, instead of *args, could you use *items or *prices?

Just wondering if *args must be specifically args

2 Answers

Cameron Sprague
Cameron Sprague
11,272 Points

Hi Ryan,

I just finished this section in Python too. Working on this in workspaces you can pass anything name into the parameters section. Please see the examples below both of these examples return the same result.

def packer(*items):
    total = sum(items)
    print(total)
packer(20, 40, 60)

def packer(*abc):
    total = sum(abc)
    print(total)
packer(20, 40, 60)
Robbie Baker
Robbie Baker
3,700 Points

I tested this with many different options. The naming convention for this works with any normal arguement naming just as long as you have the asterisk.