algorithm
a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations
argument
a value that you pass to a routine. For example, if SQRT is a routine that returns the square root of a value, then SQRT(25) would return the value 5. The value 25 is the argument.
benefits of using functions
to save time
block
a structure of source code where some is grouped together (think: what would be going between the brackets)
break
break is used within loops and switch statements to jump to the end of the code block. It causes the "//code..." above to be skipped and terminates the loop. In switch case statements, break causes the remaining cases to be skipped--it prevents "falling t
byte
unit of digital information that most commonly consists of eight bits
character
a character is a unit of information that roughly corresponds to a grapheme, grapheme-like unit, or symbol
cin
input code; prompting user to assign a value to a given variable
combined assignment
+=
-=
�=
I=
%=
comment
preceded by \\, a comment is a note only for the programmer that the code does not run
compiler
a computer program (or a set of programs) that transforms source code written in a programming language (the source language) into another computer language (the target language), with the latter often having a binary form known as object code.
continue
instead of forcing termination, it forces the next iteration of the loop to take place, skipping any code in between. For the for loop, continue statement causes the conditional test and increment portions of the loop to execute.
cout
program command to display something (a prompt, variables, etc.) on the module
CPU
computer component that's responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's other hard- and software
Do-While Loop
a do while loop executes a block of code at least once, and then repeatedly executes the block, or not, depending on a given exit condition at the end of the block.
end1
creates a new line in displayed text
Escape sequence
an escape sequence is two or more characters that often begin with an escape character that tells the computer or software program to perform a function or command (such as \n for new line)
Expression
a combination of one or more explicit values, constants, variables, operators, and functions that the programming language interprets (according to its particular rules of precedence and of association) and computes to produce (called "return")
For Loop
a repetition control structure that allows you to efficiently write a loop that needs to execute a specific number of times
Function
instructions used to create the output from its input
Function Header
the first line in a function; marks the beginning of the function
get
reads characters from stdin and stores them in str until a newline character or end of file is found
global variable
a variable visible and used through the whole program
Hardware
the collection of physical components that constitute a computer system
IDE
a software suite that consolidates the basic tools developers need to write and test software
Increment
to increase or decrease by a certain amount
Infinite Loop
a loop with a non functioning or illogical exit condition, meaning it continues without stopping
Initialization
assignment of an initial value for a data object or variable
Integer division
when two integers are divided by two, the return will be an integer as well even if the proper mathematical answer is a fraction
Literal
a piece of data written directly into a program's code
Local variable
a variable that exists only within a module, opposing a global variable
Logic error
mistakes in the program that cause it to produce wrong results or make it unable to produce results
Logical operators
code to combine two or more relational expressions into one
ex. if (temperature < 20 && minutes > 12) to mean if the temperature is less than 20 AND the number of minutes is greater than 12
main
starting point of the program
Modulus
mechanism to package libraries and encapsulate their implemntations
Nesting
placing one statement within another. for example, if the value meets the first condition, then it will move on to another if/else condition.
Operator
perform operations (such as multiplication, addition, etc) on a piece of data
Operator precedence
establishing an order of operations (think PEMDAS but for coding)
Output
displaying numbers or strings of text
Parameter
variables in a function that hold the values passed as arguments
Parentheses
arguments to define parameters
Post-test loop
testing for the exit condition after it goes through that iteration of the loop
Pre-test loop
testing for the exit condition before it goes through the iteration of the loop
Program
set of instructions a computer follows to perform a task
Programming languages
using words to create programs instead of pure binary code
Programming process
the steps to creating a program
Prototype
the beta, the unfinished work
RAM
a form of computer data storage which stores frequently used program instructions to increase the general speed of a system
Relational operators
determine whether a specific relationship exists between two values
(ex. >, <, >=, <=, ==, !=)
Repetition
loops used to repeat the same code multiple times in succession
Reserved words
words that cannot be used as variables (such as int, double, and void) because of their use in the programming language itself
Return
causes a function to end immediately
Selection symbol
...
Semicolon
USE ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME. AFTER NEARLY EVERY LINE. VERY IMPORTANT.
Sentinel
a special value that marks the end of a list of values
Software
programs and codes in the computer that perform specific tasks
String
consecutive sequences of characters that occupy consecutive bytes of memory
Syntax
structural rules that need to be followed when constructing a program
Syntax error
when a mistake in the structure of a program prevents it from running
Variable
a letter or string standing in place for a number
Variable scope
whether a variable is global or local
Variable type
different classifications of variables, such as int, float, or double, that alter the number output by the program
While loop
a looping program that executes after the condition is evaluated
White space
spaces, tabs, or line breaks