text
stringlengths
2
2.33k
source
stringclasses
826 values
bytecode : object code produced by Java compilation, which is then interpreted by the Java virtual machine
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
call stack : execution stack that is the data structure that controls the calling and return of functions
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
case-sensitive : refers to whether uppercase and lowercase letters are treated as distinct from each other
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
class : code blueprint from which objects are constructed
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
client-side script : script that runs on a client computer, usually under the control of a web browser and needs an interpreter on the client’s machine
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
code block : statement that consists of one or more statements that are structured in a sequential group and delineated as such
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
code generation : transformation of the code to the target or object language
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
coercion : ability of a variable of a data type to be forced to hold a value of a different data type
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
combined assignment : when the assignment operator is combined with another operator, usually mathematical, as a shortcut notation
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
comment : container used to hold documentation in code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) : executable program residing in a special directory known to the web server management program
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
Common Language Runtime (CLR) : takes managed code and provides a JIT execution that allows all the languages to play nicely with each other
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
compilation : single process that takes the source code that the programmer creates and transforms it into another language
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
complex data type : data type consisting of multiple primitive types used as its building blocks
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
condition-controlled : loop that will continue to iterate until a specific condition is met
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
conditional expression : (also:Boolean expression) evaluates to the Boolean values of true or false
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
constructor : specialized method that is called upon to instantiate an object from a class
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
count-controlled : loop that will continue to iterate a specific number of times
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
decrement operator (--) : unary operator that lowers the value of its operand by one
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
destructor : specialized methods used in some languages to destroy an instantiated object and recover its memory
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
determinative : loop that is predictable in its number of iterations
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
dynamic linker : compilation process which allows the program to be carried over to memory for execution after it runs
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
dynamic method binding : all methods are resolved dynamically at runtime, not by the compiler, sometimes referred to as late binding
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
element : each “shelf” of an array that can hold a value of a data type
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
embedded script : script in which one language is embedded inside another
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
encapsulation : attributes and behaviors of classes and objects are self-contained and go along with them throughout their lifetime
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
event-driven : when behavior of programs is controlled by actions (events) which are listened for and then acted upon or handled
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
exception : unusual behavior that can be recovered using exception handling support the programming language provides
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
exponentiation operator (**) : operator that raises the value of one operand to the power of the second operand
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
expression : construct in a programming language that evaluates two values
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
first-class function : function that can be assigned as a value to a variable
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
floating point : data type consisting of a decimal number
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
flow of control : order in which, or if, the statements of a program are executed
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
for loop : particular loop construct that is top-tested and count-controlled
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
formal parameter : represent values that the function needs to receive to do its job
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
front end : compilation step that is responsible for the analysis of the source code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
function : code sequence that is designed to perform a particular task
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
function call : code which invokes the function and passes to it values that may be needed for it to do its job
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
function signature : defines a function and informs the compiler or interpreter about the details that it needs to call upon that function and what it may return
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
functional programming : programming model in which the key concept is that programs are constructed by composing functions and applying them
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
garbage collection : process used to destroy unneeded objects and recover memory when there are no longer any references to them in the code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
global optimization : code improvements at multiple layers that include loop performance improvement, register allocation, and instruction scheduling
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
high-order function : function that can take one or more first class functions as arguments
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
hybrid implementation : method of language translation which involves the use of both a compiler and an interpreter
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
identifier : name given to a variable or other construct
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
imperative language : emphasizes a “tell the computer what to do” approach
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
increment operator (++) : unary operator that raises the value of its operand by one
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
indexed array : array in which the elements are numbered with an index, starting at zero
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
information hiding : masking of the actual bits and bytes of implementation that the user of a module does not need to know
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
inheritance : feature of OOP in which classes and objects take on specified attributes from their ancestors
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
initialization : assigning its first value to a variable
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
instantiation : process of building an instance (an object) of a class
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
integer : data type consisting of whole numbers
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
interface : construct which resembles a class definition but contains only methods which are constructed as abstract methods
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
intermediate code : language translation phase that produces a code level between the source code and the object code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
intermediate form (IF) : middle end compilation product created after semantic analysis if the program passes all checks
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
intermediate language : generated from programming source code, but the CPU typically cannot execute directly
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
iteration : looping, going around and re-executing sequences of statements
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
Java virtual machine (JVM) : Java interpreter that translates bytecode into executable code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
just-in-time (JIT) compilation : process when intermediate code gets its final compilation (or usually interpretation) phase right at the start of runtime
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
just-in-time (JIT) translation : process in which intermediate language is translated and executed exactly when needed
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
keyword : word reserved by the language that has a special meaning
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
late binding : when all methods are resolved dynamically at runtime, not by the compiler; sometimes referred to as dynamic binding
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
lexical analysis : compilation step that converts the source code strings of characters into tokens
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
literal : value of one of the legal data types of an HLL that can be written directly into the code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
local optimization : elimination of redundant operations in a basic block
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
lvalue : left-hand operand in an expression
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
managed code : code targeted to run under a particular runtime environment
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
member : attribute or method that is encapsulated within a class or object
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
metadata : data about data
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
middle end : compilation step responsible for performing optimizations of the code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
modularization : splitting a large job into independent units which may be then called upon to perform tasks
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
module : component of a program
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
modulo operator (%) : operator which evaluates to the remainder left after division
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
multiple inheritance : ability to inherit attributes and methods from more than one parent
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
multitask : ability of an application to process more than one task at the same time or to engage in concurrency
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
mutable : something that is changeable, possibly referring to state
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
name-value pair : construct-like variables that is named and can hold values
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
named constant : container that can be assigned the value of a data type which may not be changed thereafter
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
non determinative : loop for which we cannot predict the number of iterations (condition controlled)
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
object code : machine code produced by a compiler or interpreter
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
operator : performs various types of operations (processes) on values
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
optimization : producing what will be needed to generate the fastest and most efficiently running code possible
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
override : define another method with the same name and modify its signature
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
parallelism : when programs can have more than one part of the code running simultaneously
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
parsing : front-end compilation process, also referred to as syntax analysis, or reading the code to make sure it conforms with the syntax rules of the language
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
pass by reference : actual memory address of a variable passed as an argument, meaning the function has access to modify the original variable
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
pass by value : copy made of a value and passed as an argument, meaning the function has no access to modify the original variable
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
polymorphism : feature of OOP in which methods inherited may perform in different ways in different subclasses and depend upon their context
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
precedence : order of operations rules that determine the order in which operators in statements are evaluated
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
preprocessing : pre-compilation step in which the source code is manipulated to prepare it for the compilation stage
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
preprocessor directive : code that describes resources the program needs in order to compile, usually files to insert into the source code
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
primitive data type : (also:basic data type) simplest data type of a language that can usually be represented directly by the hardware memory and registers
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
procedural language : allows programmers to group statements into blocks of code within the scope of which variables may be defined and manipulated independently from the rest of a program
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
public interface : documentation of only what a user needs to access an object, its attributes, and its methods
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
pure function : function that will return the same result every time given the same arguments
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
race condition : when the condition of a program and its behaviors are not synchronized
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
readability : measures how easily an HLL can be read and understood
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
reference variable : variable that holds memory addresses
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms
return : command that ends a function and/or sends values back to the place at which the function was called
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-computer-science/pages/7-key-terms