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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Tuples Tuple Swapping

Posted by Abubakar Gataev
Abubakar Gataev
2,226 Points

what is *args and what does it do?

What does args do and what does it mean I completly don't get . please help

3 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

The "packing/unpacking" operator (also known as "gather/spread" or just "splat") does one of two things based on where it is used.

In a function definition, it causes individual arguments passed to the function to be gathered together into a single list with the name given after the "*" ("args" in your example):

def foo(*args) :point_left: this definition, and this call :point_right: foo(a, b, c)
...would be the same as...
def fum(args) :point_left: this definition with this call :point_right: fum( [a,b,c] )

Elsewhere in the code, it causes a list to be expanded into a set of individual arguments:

bunch = [1, 2, 3]
x = somefunc(*bunch)  #  this is the same as:  x = somefunc(1, 2, 3);
diego cortes
diego cortes
1,421 Points
diego cortes
diego cortes
1,421 Points

Thank you Steven, your examples make it easier for me to understand the concept

Abubakar Gataev
Abubakar Gataev
2,226 Points
Abubakar Gataev
Abubakar Gataev
2,226 Points

Thanks! I get it now.

Jonathan Ng
Jonathan Ng
7,982 Points
Jonathan Ng
Jonathan Ng
7,982 Points

Thank you!