# Dependencies in path operation decorators

In some cases you don't really need the return value of a dependency inside your *path operation function*.

Or the dependency doesn't return a value.

But you still need it to be executed/solved.

For those cases, instead of declaring a *path operation function* parameter with `Depends`, you can add a `list` of `dependencies` to the *path operation decorator*.

## Add `dependencies` to the *path operation decorator*

The *path operation decorator* receives an optional argument `dependencies`.

It should be a `list` of `Depends()`:

{* ../../docs_src/dependencies/tutorial006_an_py39.py hl[19] *}

These dependencies will be executed/solved the same way as normal dependencies. But their value (if they return any) won't be passed to your *path operation function*.

/// tip

Some editors check for unused function parameters, and show them as errors.

Using these `dependencies` in the *path operation decorator* you can make sure they are executed while avoiding editor/tooling errors.

It might also help avoid confusion for new developers that see an unused parameter in your code and could think it's unnecessary.

///

/// info

In this example we use invented custom headers `X-Key` and `X-Token`.

But in real cases, when implementing security, you would get more benefits from using the integrated [Security utilities (the next chapter)](../security/index.md){.internal-link target=_blank}.

///

## Dependencies errors and return values

You can use the same dependency *functions* you use normally.

### Dependency requirements

They can declare request requirements (like headers) or other sub-dependencies:

{* ../../docs_src/dependencies/tutorial006_an_py39.py hl[8,13] *}

### Raise exceptions

These dependencies can `raise` exceptions, the same as normal dependencies:

{* ../../docs_src/dependencies/tutorial006_an_py39.py hl[10,15] *}

### Return values

And they can return values or not, the values won't be used.

So, you can reuse a normal dependency (that returns a value) you already use somewhere else, and even though the value won't be used, the dependency will be executed:

{* ../../docs_src/dependencies/tutorial006_an_py39.py hl[11,16] *}

## Dependencies for a group of *path operations*

Later, when reading about how to structure bigger applications ([Bigger Applications - Multiple Files](../../tutorial/bigger-applications.md){.internal-link target=_blank}), possibly with multiple files, you will learn how to declare a single `dependencies` parameter for a group of *path operations*.

## Global Dependencies

Next we will see how to add dependencies to the whole `FastAPI` application, so that they apply to each *path operation*.
