formal argument

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

formal argument
param
parameter

   <programming> (Or "parameter") A name in a {function} or
   {subroutine} definition that is replaced by, or bound to, the
   corresponding {actual argument} when the function or
   subroutine is called.  In many languages formal arguments
   behave like {local variables} which get initialised on entry.

   See: {argument}.

   (2002-07-02)