Parameters are variables or constants that a program needs to have passed in from somewhere else rather than being defined or looked up within said code, with values passed into those parameters called arguments. Parameters can be used to provide context and flexibility to programs, allowing users to customize the output of functions by passing in different values for required parameters. However, using parameters can also make debugging and troubleshooting challenging if their values are not properly validated or if they are affected by inheritance or other external factors. It is essential to use print commands or other debugging tools to ensure that parameter values match expectations and to identify issues with function calls or command execution.