What are parameters and arguments?

Parameters and arguments are fundamental concepts in programming, particularly in the context of functions. Parameters are the variables listed in a function's definition. They act as placeholders that define what type of data the function expects to receive when it is called. In contrast, arguments are the actual values that are supplied to the function when it is invoked. This distinction is critical because it clarifies how functions interact with data.

When defining a function, the programmer specifies parameters to outline what information is needed for the function to operate correctly. Later, when the function is called, the programmer provides specific arguments, which substitute for the parameters defined earlier. Understanding this relationship helps in writing effective and reusable code since it delineates how functions can be designed to accept varying inputs.

This is why the choice stating that parameters are defined in the function and arguments are passed to it accurately describes the difference between the two concepts.