Address
A number which denotes the location of a piece of data within memory.
Array
A package of data, which goes by a single name, every value of which is of the same type Individual elements are accessed using an index which runs from 0 to size-1 of the array. All the data in an array is stored contiguously. An array does not know its own size, requiring programmers to keep track of it separately.
Bit
The smallest unit of information (and therefore of computer memory). A bit must take on one of the two values, one or zero.
Bool
A primitive type in C++. Variables of type Bool may have only one of two values: true (1) or false (0). Usage note: when any integer type is converted to type bool, any non-zero value is converted to true.
Block Scope
A name declared at the internal level is said to have block scope. Specifically, its scope is from the point of declaration of the name to the end of nearest enclosing block within which the name was declared.
Byte
An assemblage of 8 bits, usually the smallest practical unit of memory. Computer data is generally an integer (usually a power of 2) number of bytes.
Call
(v) invoking a function (n) the invocation of a function. When a function is called the flow of control switches to the first line in the function and continues until a return is encountered. If the function returns a value, it evaluates to that value.
Char
A primitive type in C++. One of the integer types. Variables of type Char hold a binary code (typically either 1 byte ASCII or 2 byte Unicode) representing particular characters.
Class
(n) a. A fundamental programming module in C++ which bundles data (called attributes) with functions (called methods). b. The means in C++ by which programmers control the specification and declaration of objects.
Constructor
(n) A special member function of a class which is called whenever an object of the class is created. Constructors never have a return type and always have the name of the class as their name.
Destructor
(n) A special member function of a class which is called whenever an object of the class is destroyed (as,for example, when it goes out of scope). Destructors never have a return type or any arguments and always have the name of the class preceded by a ~ as their name. e.g. the destructor for class George is ~George().
Double
A primitive type in C++. Variables of type double represent real numbers (called floating point numbers) and typically take more space and are slower to process than integer types.
Expression
A combination of variables, constants and functions which can be progressively reduced to a single value.
External Level
Outside of any function.
File Scope
See also scope, block scope. A name declared at the external level is said to have file scope. Specifically, its scope is from the point of declaration of the name to the end of the file.
Function
The fundamental module of code. All code must appear inside some function, even if it's only main. Functions may return a value or void.
prototype or Header File
A file typically containing type, class and/or standalone function declarations, as well as constants, with little or no active code, designed to be included in code files that are clients of the declared types, classes or functions.
Int
A primitive type in C++. Variables of type int represent mathematical integers over a limited range that varies from computer to computer.
Internal Level
Inside the body of a function.
Library
A large body of standard code which may be included piecemeal into programs as needed.
Main
The top level file in a program. All programs must contain one and one only main function. Program execution always starts at the beginning of the main function.
Message
1. A function which is a member of a class. 2. Specifically, the invocation (calling) of a class member function.
Method
1. A function which is a member of a class. 2. Specifically, the implementation of a class member function.
Mnemonic
Self-descriptive. Generally applied to names that give a reader a good idea of what the named entity is or does.
Name
An identifier used to designate entities such as variables, functions, classes or objects. Should follow the standard naming rules.
Naming Rules
Names consist of a sequence of letters, digits and underscore('_') characters with no spaces. May not start with an digit and may not be a keyword. Should not start with underscore as compilers do that. While any length is technically allowable, almost all compilers will distinguish names of up to 31 characters.
Object
A particular instantiation of a class. An object has its own data (exactly like a structure variable) but shares the methods of the class.
Operation
1. A function which is a member of a class. 2. Specifically, the declaration of (and therefore the interface for) a class member function.
Parameter
A name which appears both in a function header and the function's implementation and which stands in for data that will be passed in to a function when it gets called
Pointer
A variable whose value is the address of the desired value.
Primitive Type
A type predefined by the language, for example int or bool.
Scope
An attribute of a name. The range within a program over which a name is known.
Structure
A compound data type the individual components of which are accessed as named fields.
Type
The category to which a piece of computer data is assigned. All data of a particular type will conform to a set of properties determined by that type, for example the amount of storage required to hold a piece of data or a range of acceptable values.
Variable
Mathematics. a. A quantity capable of assuming any of a set of values. b. A symbol representing such a quantity. Computing. a. An entity for holding a piece of computer data. b. The name representing such an entity.
Value
The specific piece of computer data held in a variable.
Node
class Node {
char *data ;
Node *next ;
} ;
Definitions
Definitions are like pop-ups, but are held in a central dictionary file.