Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) Certification Practice Test

Which feature helps specify which parameters to pass values to in a method call?

1. Optional arguments

2. Named arguments

3. Positional parameters

4. Delegates

The correct answer is: Named arguments

Named arguments are a feature that allows developers to specify which parameters to pass values to in a method call by using the parameter names explicitly. This enhances code readability and allows for flexibility in the order of argument passing, enabling developers to skip optional parameters or assign values directly to specific parameters without concern for their position. For instance, when you have a method with multiple parameters, using named arguments allows you to provide values in any order. This is particularly useful when a method has several parameters, some of which may have default values or are not necessary to specify. By naming the argument, you clarify the purpose of each value being passed, which can improve maintainability and make the code easier to understand at a glance. It also minimizes the risk of passing values in the incorrect order, which can lead to runtime errors. In contrast, optional arguments provide default values for parameters if no value is provided, positional parameters rely on the order of arguments, and delegates are a type that encapsulates a method reference. While all these features are valuable in their own right, named arguments uniquely enable the explicit specification of parameter mappings, making them the correct choice in this context.