"Call by value" is a programming term that refers to a method of passing data between functions. The spelling of this term is pronounced /kɔːl baɪ væljuː/. The first part of the word, "call," is pronounced with an open o sound, like the word "all." The second part, "by," is pronounced with a short i sound, like the word "it." Finally, "value" is pronounced with a long e sound, like the word "eve." Correct spelling and pronunciation of this term is important for clear communication in the field of programming.
Call by value is a method used in programming languages to pass arguments to functions or procedures. In this method, a copy of the value of the argument is passed to the function. The actual value of the argument is not directly accessible or modified by the function.
When a function is called with a parameter, a new memory space is allocated for the parameter within the function's environment. The value of the argument is then copied into this memory space. Any changes made to the parameter within the function are only applicable within that function and do not affect the original value of the argument.
Call by value ensures that the original value of the argument remains intact, limiting unintended modifications. It allows for a clear separation between the function and the original calling program. However, it can also result in additional memory consumption and slower performance when large data structures are used as function arguments.
This method is commonly used in several programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python. It is primarily used when the function does not need to modify the original argument or when the argument is very large in size, causing potential performance issues.