title: Type of optional value in function
body: <p>guys. I am learning Python but I have question about &quot;optional-parameters&quot; in functions (I hope it's called that way, if not please correct me.).</p>
  <p>So I have a function written like this:</p>
  <pre><code>def get_formatted_name(first_name, last_name, middle_name = None):
  ...
  </code></pre>
  <p>and I have question about last parameter &quot;<code>middle_name</code>&quot;. When it is optional, <strong>is it better to store it like string like this <code>&quot;&quot;</code> or in form of <code>None</code>?</strong> Are there some advantages to one or the other or it's the same? Does the one require the same amount of storage like the other? Or is there other better way to store the optional value?</p>
  <p>Thank you for the answer. I am sorry for this &quot;primitive&quot; question but I wonder what is the best solution.</p>