Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Parameters are variables declared in a method or function that receive values when the method is called. They allow data to be passed into a method, enabling it to perform actions or calculations based on those values.
Arguments are actual values passed into a method when it is called. They correspond to the parameters defined in the method's declaration.
Return type: The return type specifies the type of value that a method will return after its execution. Parameters help determine what inputs are needed for the method, while return types define what output can be expected.
Method signature: A method signature consists of its name and parameter list. It uniquely identifies a specific method within a class and helps differentiate it from other methods with similar names but different parameters.