Terminology: do variables and symbols have a value or are they bound to a value?
<p>The arguments of a function, I mean the <em>x</em> and the <em>y</em> as in </p>

<pre><code>(defun my-function (x y ) body) 
</code></pre>

<p>are sometimes also called the <em>local variables</em> or the <em>local parameters</em> or the <em>formal parameters</em> or even the <em>parameters</em>.  Are all these terminologies really correct in Lisp?  Is another terminology more suited?</p>

<p>Furthermore one says that the arguments of a functions are bound to the values of the arguments of the function that is calling.  Is this terminology "<em>bound to</em>" correct?  Or do we have to say that they will "<em>have the value</em>" of the arguments of the function called?</p>

<p>And does one say that a global symbol is "<em>bound to a value</em>" or "<em>has the value</em>"?  I read in a book that this is a  cause of enormous confusion.  In that book it is suggested that the words "<em>bound to</em>" should not be used for global symbols, but should only be used for the arguments of a function.  But on the other hand, the build in function <em>boundp</em> like in </p>

<pre><code>(boundp 'x)) 
</code></pre>

<p>is used in Lisp also for global symbols.  This would suggest that symbols do not "<em>have a value</em>" but are "<em>bound to a value</em>"?</p>