what does this do? (really basic question)

[Dave Marotti]

Daniel / Sean,

Thanks for the great explaination and the links.  I wasn't sure what to think
of the syntax.  I haden't seen the use of asterisks before in python code, and
my background in C/C++ instantly made me think of pointers.  I couldn't have
been further from the truth.

-dave

>"kw" stands for "keyword", and what's being used is called a "keyword
>argument".  Keyword arguments allow us to pass parameters to a
>function in a very general way.  In the example above, the keyword
>argument becomes a dictionary that captures any keyword variables that
>"fall through the cracks" of a function call.

--
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| Dave Marotti                | Looking for a Visio alternative for *nix?    |
| lndshark ! speakeasy net    | Kivio : http://thekompany.com/projects/kivio |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| I just don't trust anything | I suppose that in a few more hours I will    |
| that bleeds for 5 days and  | sober up. That's such a sad thought. I think |
| doesn't die. - Mr. Garrison | I'll have a few more drinks to prepare myself|
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------------+