Software that requires values expressed at runtime. A parameter-driven program solves a problem that is described by the values (parameters) entered on the command line when the program is run. For example, typing
bio 6-20-36 might load a program called "bio" that calculates biorhythms for someone born on June 20, 1936. In this case, the date is a required parameter. The more common approach is an "Enter Birthdate" icon or menu option that opens a dialog box to type in date of birth.
When One Program Calls Another
Parameter-driven software is widely used when a program is called for and loaded by another program rather than by the user. Since the parameters are generated by one program and used by another, any number of parameters can be passed no matter how obscure the codes. For an example, see
parameter. See
default.