Variable Length Arguments

Variable length arguments are a programming language feature that allows functions or methods to accept a variable number of arguments, enabling more flexible and dynamic code. This concept is implemented through mechanisms like varargs in Java/C#, *args and **kwargs in Python, or rest parameters in JavaScript, which collect extra arguments into a data structure such as an array or dictionary. It simplifies function definitions by handling an arbitrary number of inputs without requiring explicit parameter lists for every possible case.

Also known as: Varargs, Variable Arguments, Arbitrary Arguments, Rest Parameters, Splat Arguments

Why learn Variable Length Arguments?

Developers should learn and use variable length arguments when designing functions that need to handle an unpredictable or varying number of inputs, such as utility functions for logging, mathematical operations, or data aggregation. This is particularly useful in scenarios like building APIs, creating decorators, or implementing functions that process lists of items dynamically, as it enhances code reusability and reduces boilerplate by avoiding overloaded methods or manual argument handling.

Learning Resources

• docs: Python *args and **kwargs
• tutorial: Java Varargs Tutorial
• docs: JavaScript Rest Parameters
• docs: C# Params Keyword
• tutorial: Variable Arguments in Programming - FreeCodeCamp