Friday, 10 January 2014

Glossary Terminology part6-P,Q,R.

P
packed structure
A data-structure technique whereby bit fields are only as large as needed, regardless of
word boundaries.

pad byte
A byte added to a structure whose sole purpose is to ensure memory alignment.

parameter
A data item to which a value may be assigned. Often means the arguments that are passed
between a caller and a called procedure.

parameterized macro
A macro consisting of a template with insertion points for the introduction of parameters.

parameters of a macro
The values to be inserted into the parameter positions in the definition of a macro. The
insertion occurs during the expansion of the macro.

permanent variable
A variable that is created before the program starts, is initialized before the program starts,
and retains its memory during the entire execution of the program.

pixel
The smallest element of a display that can be individually assigned intensity and color.
From Picture Element.

pointer
A data type that holds the address of a location in memory.

pointer arithmetic
C++ allows three arithmetic operations on pointers:
1. A numeric value can be added to a pointer.
2. A numeric value can be subtracted from a pointer.
3. One pointer can be subtracted from another pointer.

pointer variable
See pointer.

Portable C compiler
A C compiler written by Stephen Johnson making it relatively easy to adapt the compiler to
different computer architectures.

precision
A measure of the ability to distinguish between nearly equal values.

preprocessor
A program that performs preliminary processing with the purpose of expanding macro
code templates to produce C++ code.

preprocessor directive
A command to the preprocessor.

printf
A C library routine that produces formatted output. From the old C-style I/O package stdio.

private
A C++ keyword indicating that the members that follow are to be accessible only from
inside the class or by friends of the class.

procedure
A program segment that can be invoked from different parts of a program or programs. It
does not return a value (function of type void).

program
A group of instructions that cause a computer to perform a sequence of operations.

program header
The comment block at the beginning of a program.
program specification
A written document that states what a program is to do.

programmer
An individual who writes programs for a computer.

programming (a computer)
The process of expressing the solution to a problem in a language that represents
instructions for a computer.

programming language
A scheme of formal notation used to prepare computer programs.

protected
A C++ keyword indicating that the members that follow are accessible inside the class,
inside the class's friends, or inside any derived classes, but are not accessible to the
outside world.

pseudocode
A coding technique where precise descriptions of procedures are written in easy-to-read
language constructs without the bother of precise attention to the syntax rules of a computer
language.

public
A C++ keyword indicating that the members to follow are accessible outside the class.

pure virtual function
A virtual function that does not have a default body. The class containing a pure virtual
function cannot be used directly but must be the base for another class. (See also derived
classes and abstract classes.)

Q
qualifier
A word used to modify the meaning of a data declaration.

R
radix
The positive integer by which the weight of the digit place is multiplied to obtain the
weight of the next higher digit in the base of the numbering system.

real number
A number that may be represented by a finite or infinite numeral in a fixedradix numbering
system.

recursion
Recursion occurs when a function calls itself directly or indirectly. (For a recursive
definition, see recursion.)

redirect
The command-line option >file allows the user to direct the output of a program into a
file instead of to the screen. A similar option, <file, exists for taking input from a file
instead of the keyboard.

reduction in strength
The process of substituting cheap operations for expensive ones.

relational operator
An operator that compares two operands and reports either true or false based on whether
the relationship is true or false.

release
The completion of a programming project to the point where it is ready for general use.

replay file
A file that is used instead of the standard input for keyboard data.

return statement
A statement that signals the completion of a function and causes control to return to the
caller.

revision
The addition of significant changes to the program.

right shift
The operation of moving the bits in a bit field right by a specified amount.

round
To delete or omit one or more of the least significant digits in a positional representation
and adjust the part retained in accordance with some specific rule, e.g., minimize the error.

rounding error
An error due to truncation in rounding.

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