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| API (Application Program Interface) A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with another program that provides services for it. APIs are usually implemented by writing function calls. Examples of APIs are the calls made by an application program to such programs as an operating system, messaging system or database management system (DBMS). See interface. array An ordered arrangement of data elements. A vector is a one dimensional array, a matrix is a two-dimensional array. Most programming languages have the ability to store and manipulate arrays in one or more dimensions. Multi-dimensional arrays are used extensively in scientific simulation and mathematical processing; however, an array can be as simple as a pricing table held in memory for instant access by an order entry program. See subscript. binary Meaning two. The principle behind digital computers. All input to the computer is converted into binary numbers made up of the two digits 0 and 1 (bits). For example, when you press the "A" key on your personal computer, the keyboard generates and transmits the number 01000001 to the computer's memory as a series of pulses. The 1 bits are transmitted as high voltage; the 0 bits are transmitted as low. Bits are stored as charged and uncharged cells in memory, as positively and negatively charged spots on disk and tape and as pits and no pits on optical media. See BCD for illustration. case statement In programming, a variation of the if-then-else statement that is used when several ifs are required in a row. The following C example tests the variable KEY1 and performs functions based on the results. switch (key1) { case '+': add(); break; case '-': subtract(); break; case '*': multiply(); break; case '/': divide(); break; } CPU (Central Processing Unit) The computing part of the computer. Also called the processor, it is made up of the control unit and ALU. A personal computer CPU is a single microprocessor chip. A minicomputer CPU is contained on one or more printed circuit boards. A mainframe CPU is made up of several boards. code (1) A set of machine symbols that represents data or instructions. See data code and machine language. (2) Any representation of one set of data for another. For example, a parts code is an abbreviated name of a product, product type or category. A discount code is a percentage. (3) To write a program. See source code and line of code. (4) To encode for security purposes. See encryption. compiler (1) Software that translates a high-level programming language (COBOL, C, etc.) into machine language. A compiler usually generates assembly language first and then translates the assembly language into machine language. The following example compiles program statements into machine language: Source code Assembly Language Machine language IF COUNT=10 Compare A to B Compare 3477 2883 GOTO DONE If equal go to C If = go to 23883 ELSE Go to D Go to 23343 GOTO AGAIN ENDIF Actual machine code 10010101001010001010100 10101010010101001001010 10100101010001010010010 (2) Software that converts a high-level language into a lower-level representation. For example, a help compiler converts a text document embedded with appropriate commands into an online help system. A dictionary compiler converts terms and definitions into a dictionary lookup system. Compilers and Interpreters Compiled programs are translated into the machine language of the target computer, and the program is in a "ready to run" condition when loaded. Interpreted programs are kept in their original source code and run with the interpreter. For example, Visual Basic applications are interpreted, and the interpreter must be present in the computer to run the program. coder (1) A junior, or trainee, programmer who writes simple programs or writes the code for a larger program that has been designed by someone else. (2) Person who assigns special codes to data. function In programming, a self-contained software routine that peforms a job for the program it is written in or for some other program. The function performs the operation and returns control to the instruction following the calling instruction or to the calling program. Programming languages provide a set of standard functions and may allow programmers to define others. For example, the C language is built entirely of functions. high-level language A machine-independent programming language, such as FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, Pascal and C. It lets the programmer concentrate on the logic of the problem to be solved rather than the intricacies of the machine architecture such as is required with low-level assembly languages. There are dramatic differences between high-level languages. Look at the sample code in this Glossary under C, BASIC and COBOL as an example. What is considered high level depends on the era. There were assembly languages thirty years ago that were easier to understand IDE (1) (Integrated Drive Electronics) A type of hardware interface widely used to connect hard disks, CD-ROMs and tape drives to a PC. IDE incorporates the controller within the drive itself, lowering the cost of the total peripheral system. The drives connect to the computer by attaching to an IDE host adapter that is either on a plug-in card or on the motherboard. The original IDE host adapter supported two disks. Starting in 1994, second generation Enhanced IDE (EIDE) host adapters provide a second channel for two more disk, tape or CD-ROM drives. Today, most motherboards have EIDE built in and provide two sockets for a total of four devices. (2) (Integrated Development Environment) A set of programs run from a single user interface. For example, programming languages Interpreter Sometimes you'll hear people say that a program is interpreted "on the fly". Basically this means that the interpreter runs in the background breaking it down into machine code while a user is running your program. As the program is run, the interpreter is translating your program. As the program is run, the interpreter is translating your source code into machine code that the computer can understand. key word (1) A word used in a text search. (2) A word in a text document that is used in an index to best describe the contents of the document. (3) A reserved word in a programming or command logical operator One of the Boolean logical operators (AND, OR and NOT). low-level language A programming language that is very close to machine language. All assembly languages are low-level languages. Contrast with high-level language. macro (1) A series of menu selections, keystrokes and commands that have been recorded and assigned a name or key combination. When the macro is called or the key combination is pressed, the steps in the macro are executed from beginning to end. Macros are used to shorten long menu sequences as well as to create miniature programs within an application. Macro languages often include programming controls (IF THEN, GOTO, WHILE, etc.) that automate sequences like any programming language. See macro recorder, batch file and shell script. (2) In assembly language, a prewritten subroutine that is called for throughout the program. At assembly time, the macro calls are substituted with the actual subroutine or instructions that branch to it. The high-level language equivalent is a function. mouse A puck-like object used as a pointing and drawing device. As it is rolled across the desktop, the screen cursor (pointer) moves correspondingly. mnemonic Pronounced "nuh-monic." Means memory aid. A name assigned to a machine function. For example, in DOS, COM1 is the mnemonic assigned to serial port #1. Programming languages are almost entirely mnemonics. operating system The master control program that runs the computer. It is the first program loaded when the computer is turned on, and its main part, called the kernel, resides in memory at all times. It may be developed by the vendor of the computer it's running in or by a third party. The operating system sets the standards for the application programs that run in it. All programs must "talk to" the operating system. The difference between an operating system and a network operating system is its multiuser capability. For example, DOS and Windows are single-user OSs designed for one person at a desktop computer. Windows NT and UNIX are network operating systems, because they are designed to manage multiple user requests at the same time and handle the related security. An operating system provides the user interface and controls multitasking. It handles the input and output to the disk and all peripheral devices. In a large computer, it handles job scheduling. operator (1) A person who operates the computer and performs such activities as commanding the operating system, mounting disks and tapes and placing paper in the printer. Operators may also write the job control language (JCL), which schedules the daily work for the computer. (2) In programming and logic, a symbol used to perform an operation on some value such as an arithmetic + or a Boolean AND. peripheral Any hardware device connected to a computer, such as a monitor, keyboard, printer, plotter, disk or tape drive, graphics tablet, scanner, joy stick, paddle and mouse. program A collection of instructions that tell the computer what to do. A program is called software; hence, program, software and instructions are synonymous. A program is written in a programming language and is converted into the computer's machine language by software called assemblers, compilers and interpreters. A program is made up of 1. machine instructions 2. buffers 3. constants and counters Instructions are the directions that the computer will follow (the program's logic). Buffers are reserved space, or input/output areas, that accept and hold the data while it's being processed. They can receive any kind of information required by the program. Constants are fixed values used to compare the data against, such as minimums and maximums and dates. Menu titles and error messages are another example of constants. Counters, also called variables, are reserved space for summing money amounts, quantities, virtually any calculations, including those necessary to keep track of internal operations, such as how many times a function should be repeated. The program calls for data in an input-process-output sequence. After data has been input into one of the program's buffers from a peripheral device (keyboard, disk, etc.), it is processed. The results are then output to a peripheral device (screen, printer, etc.). If data has been updated, it is output back onto the disk. The application program, which does the actual data processing, does not instruct the computer to do everything. When it is ready for input or needs to output data, it sends a request to the operating system, which performs those services and then turns control back to the application program. programmer A person who designs the logic for and writes the lines of codes of a computer program. See application programmer and systems programmer. reserved word A verb or noun in a programming or command language that is part of the native language. user Any individual who interacts with the computer at an application level. Programmers, operators and other technical personnel are not considered users when working in a professional capacity on the computer. user interface The combination of menus, screen design, keyboard commands, command language and help screens, which create the way a user interacts with a computer. Mice, touch screens and other input hardware is also included. A well-designed user interface is vital to the success of a software package. In time, interactive video, voice recognition and natural language understanding will be included. variable A programming structure that holds data. It can contain numbers or alphanumeric characters and is given a unique named by the programmer. It holds the data until a new value is stored in it or the program is finished. Have+A+Diffucult+Question+That+You+Need+Answered?+Leave It+On+My+Message+Board+For+90+days: http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb668156 Got+A+Question?+My+Chat+Room+To+Meet+Other+People+Who Like+To+Discuss+Computer+Topics: http://mercury.beseen.com/chat/rooms/p/7948 |
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