DS Glossary

Section 1.18 Glossary

Glossary Glossary

abstract data type/ADT.: A mathematical model for data.
abstraction.: Focusing on desired behaviors and properties while disregarding what is irrelevant/unimportant.
access keywords.: Keywords such as public, private, and protected that indicate what class properties/behaviors a user can change.
address-of.: The address-of operator (&) is used to access the address of a C++ variable.
algorithm.: A set of instructions or rules given to complete a task.
AND.: A primitive logic gate. In this gate, both A AND B must be true in order to be true.
argument.: Data passed to a parameter.
array.: A data structure consisting of an ordered collection of data elements of identical type in which each element can be identified by an array index.
array parameters.: Used to pass an array of arguments.
atomic data type.: Basic data type that cannot be broken down into any simpler data elements.
base class.: A class from which other classes are derived.
bool.: Keyword for Boolean data type.
char.: Keyword for character data type that stores a single character.
child class.: inherit characteristic data and/or behaviors from a parent class.
class.: A template for creating (instantiating) objects, for providing initial values for state via member variables, and for implementations of behavior via member functions or methods.
class methods.: The functions and methods that belong to a class that describe what the class can do.
collection.: A grouping of a number of data items (possibly only zero or one) that have some shared significance or need to be operated upon together.
compiler.: A program that converts high-level language into machine language.
computable.: The capability of being copmuted or solved.
const.: Keyword that makes a variable or value immutable. i.e. constant and unchanging.
constructor.: A class’ special function that initializes an object of that class.
data abstraction.: The act of only providing essential information within your work. Representing your data without reavling the details.
data structure.: The organization of data that allows for improved search, storage, and sorting capability.
data types.: A classification of various types of data, such as floating-point, integer, or Boolean, the possible values for that type, operations that can be done on that type, and how the values of that type are stored.
dereference.: Follow a pointer to its referenced memory location and read the data there.
derived class.: A derived class is a class created or derived from another existing class.
double.: Keyword for double-precision floating point data type.
encapsulation.: Hiding the contents of a class except when absolutely necessary.
float.: Keyword for floating point data type.
friend function.: A function defined outside that class’ scope but has access to private and protected members of the class.
function.: A section of code that performs a procedure and is usually named.
function overloading.: Function overloading is the ability to create multiple functions of the same name with different implementations.
HAS-A Relationship.: A relationship where one object “belongs to” another object, and behaves according to rules of ownership.
hash table.: A collection consisting of key-value pairs with an associated hash function that maps the key to the associated value.
immutable.: Unable to be modified.
information hiding.: Hiding information so that it is invisible from the outside of an object.
inheritance.: Sharing/gaining the same behavior as another class.
inheritance hierarchy.: A singly rooted tree structure.
instance.: An occurrence of an object.
int.: Keyword for integer data type.
int main().: The main function used to call all other functions.
interface.: A shared boundary in which two or more components of a computer system exchange information.
machine code.: Instructions and data understandable by a computer’s CPU.
mutability.: Able to be modified.
NOT.: An inverter, used to negate input.
object.: A variable, data structure, function, or a method, that can be referenced by an identifier.
object attribute.: A property of an object that describes what it “looks like”.
object-oriented programming language.: Programming language that uses objects to represent data and methods such as C++ and Java.
operator overloading.: Same as function overloading.
OR.: A basic gate. If either input is true, the output is also. If inputs are false, so is the output.
overloading.: Specifying more than one definition for the same function name or the same operator within the same scope.
parameter.: A variable in a function or method definition that accepts data passed from an argument.
parent class.: A class that has been extended by another existing class.
pass by reference.: To pass an object to a function by referencing its location in memory.
pass by value.: To pass an object to a function by copying its value.
programming.: The use of logic to create specified computing operations.
pointer.: A variable that stores and manipulates memory addresses.
polymorphism.: The ability to process objects or methods differently depending on their data type, class, number of arguments, etc.
reference.: A value that indicates a place in a computer’s memory.
set.: An unordered data structure consisting of unique, immutable data values.
string.: A sequential data structure consisting of zero or more characters.
subclasses.: A division of an existing class.
superclass.: A class that has been extended by another existing class.
truth table.: A mathematical table used to visually represent boolean logic and functions.
unordered set.: A container that is not sorted or ordered in any secific way.
vector.: Sequence container storing data of a single type that is stored in a dynamically allocated array which can change in size.
virtual function.: Member function which is declared within a base class and is overridden by a derived class.
void.: Keyword indicating a function has no return value.
word.: Unit of data used by a particular processor design.

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