abstract class | A set of classes. The abstract class specification lists the requirements a class must satisfy to be included in the set. |
abstract data type | A data type (usually a collection of objects) that is defined by a set of operations, but that can be implemented in a variety of ways. |
abstract parameter | A set of parameters that act together as a single parameter. |
abstraction | The process of interpreting a program (or anything else) at a higher level than what is literally represented by the code. |
accessor function | A function that provides access (read or write) to a private instance variable. |
accumulator | A variable used inside a loop to accumulate a result, often by getting something added or concatenated during each iteration. |
"address of" operator | an operator that returns the address in memory of a variable. |
ADT | abstract data type (see there) |
algorithm | A set of instructions for solving a class of problems by a mechanical, unintelligent process. |
aliasing | The condition when two or more variables refer to the same object. |
argument | A value that you provide when you call a function. This value must have the same type as the corresponding parameter. |
array | A named collection of values, where all the values have the same type, and each value is identified by an index. |
assignment | A statement that assigns a value to a variable. |
associative array | Another name for a dictionary. |
AWT | The Abstract Window Toolkit, one of the biggest and most commonly-used Java packages. |
binary operator | An operator that takes two operands. |
binary tree | A tree in which each node refers to 0, 1, or 2 dependent nodes. |
body | The statements inside the loop. |
boolean | A value or variable that can take on one of two states, often called true and false. In C++, boolean values can be stored in a variable type called bool. |
bottom-up design | A method of program development that starts by writing small, useful functions and then assembling them into larger solutions. |
bounding box | A common way to specify the coordinates of a rectangular area. |
bug | An error in a program. |
byte code | A special kind of object code used for Java programs. Byte code is similar to a low-level language, but it is portable, like a high-level language. |
call | Cause a function to be executed. |
cargo | An item of data contained in a node. |
chaining | A way of joining several conditional statements in sequence. |
child | One of the nodes referred to by a node. |
circular buffer | An implementation of a queue using an array and indices of the first element and the next available space. |
class method | A method with the keyword static. Class methods are not invoked on objects and they do not have a current object. |
class variable | A static variable declared outside of any method. It is accessible from any method. |
class | In general use, a class is a user-defined type with member functions. In C++, a class is a structure with private instance variables. A class definition is also a template for a new type of object. |
client | A program that uses an ADT (or the person who wrote the program). |
collection | Any data structure that contains a set of items or elements. |
comparison operator | An operator that compares two values and produces a boolean that indicates the relationship between the operands. |
compile | To translate a program in a high-level language into a low-level language, all at once, in preparation for later execution. |
complexity class | A set of algorithms whose performance (usually run time) has the same order of growth. |
composition | The ability to combine simple expressions and statements into compound statements and expressions in order to represent complex computations concisely. |
concatenate | To join two operands end-to-end. |
conditional operator | An operator that compares two values and produces a boolean that indicates the relationship between the operands. |
conditional | A block of statements that may or may not be executed depending on some condition. |
constant reference parameter | A parameter that is passed by reference but that cannot be modified. |
constant time | An operation whose run time does not depend on the size of the data structure. |
constructor | A special function that creates a new object and initializes its instance variables. |
coordinate | A variable or value that specifies a location in a two-dimensional graphical window. |
counter | A variable used to count something, usually initialized to zero and then incremented. |
current object | The object on which a member function is invoked. Inside the member function, we can refer to the current object implicitly, or by using the keyword this. |
exception | An error in a program that makes it fail at run-time. Also called a run-time error. |