What is the term for a special kind of variable defined in a function to receive specific information?

The term that refers to a special kind of variable defined in a function to receive specific information is "parameter." In programming, parameters are used to pass information into functions, allowing those functions to operate on different inputs without needing to rewrite the function code for each new use. They act as placeholders for the values you will provide when you call the function. This makes functions highly flexible and reusable.

Variables, in a broader sense, are storage locations in your program for data. While parameters are a type of variable, the term itself does not specifically capture the defined nature related to a function. Constants refer to values that do not change throughout the execution of a program, while properties typically indicate attributes related to objects in object-oriented programming. Therefore, the definition of a parameter is most suitable in this context, as it directly connects to how functions are designed to operate with the information passed to them.