What is the purpose of default parameter values in a function?

Default parameter values in a function serve several purposes:

1. Simplify Function Calls: They allow you to call a function without providing all arguments. If an argument is omitted, the default value is used, making the function easier to use.

2. Enhance Flexibility: Functions can be more flexible and adaptable to different use cases. Users can specify only the parameters they want to change, while others can retain their default values.

3. Improve Code Readability: Default values can make the code more readable by clearly indicating what the expected values are when the function is called.

4. Reduce Errors: By providing default values, you can prevent errors that may arise from missing arguments, ensuring that the function has valid inputs.

Here’s an example in JavaScript:

function greet(name = "Guest") {
    console.log(`Hello, ${name}!`);
}

greet(); // Output: Hello, Guest!
greet("Alice"); // Output: Hello, Alice!

In this example, if no name is provided, "Guest" is used as the default value.