In the context of a function, what are parameters?

Parameters are variables defined in a function that allow you to pass information into that function. They serve as placeholders for the values that will be provided when the function is called, enabling dynamic and flexible code. By using parameters, functions can operate on different data inputs without needing to be rewritten for each specific case. This feature promotes code reusability and helps in making functions more general and versatile.

In contrast, fixed values used in calculations refer more to constants or literals that are not subject to change based on input and do not provide the flexibility that parameters do. Constants defined outside of functions are static and do not allow for variability in function execution. Data types used in functions refer to the specification of what type of data (such as integer, string, etc.) the function can accept or return but are not the same as parameters themselves.