Chapter 1- Data Types and Structures Flashcards
32-bit computer system
32-bit computer system a computer system with 32 bits of memory addresses
64-bit computer system
64-bit computer system a computer system with 64 bits of memory addresses
Array
array a list of elements indexed by position. In most programming languages the first element has index zero.
Associative Array
associative array similar to an array; information is stored in key-value pairs
Binary File
binary file a computer-readable file, such as executable programs, images and sound
Boolean
boolean a data type with one of two possible values, 0 and 1, usually referred to as False and True, respectively
Camel Case
camel case a naming convention in programming where each word or abbreviation after the first in a phrase begins with a capital letter; there are no spaces or punctuation
Case Sensitive
case-sensitive a program’s ability to distinguish between upper-case and lower-case letters
Character
character a data type representing any single meaningful unit, such as a letter, a number, a punctuation mark, a symbol, or even a space
Character Encoding
character encoding a code that allows a computer program to interpret binary digits (0s and 1s) into meaningful units representing characters and numbers. For example, ASCII, UTF and Unicode are types of character encoding.
Child
child element any sub-element of a parent element in an XML file
Class
class a program code template for creating objects in object-oriented programming languages
Collision
collision when two di4erent input values to a hashing function output the same hash value
Constraint
constraint a restriction on what can and cannot occur in the creation of a software solution, external to the solution itself
CSV
CSV a comma-separated value file, which is a delimited file, separated by commas
Data Dictionary
data dictionary a set of information that describes elements within software, such as external to the solution itself
Data Structure
data structure a method of organising data to allow particular operations to be performed on them efficiently
Data Type
data type a method of classifying a variable to determine the data that variable can contain, as well as how that variable can be manipulated
Delimited File
delimited file a text file where data values are separated by a programmer-selected character
Delimiter
delimiter the character used to separate data values in a delimited file
De-Queue
dequeue removing and returning a value from the start of a queue
Dictionary
dictionary an associative array, also referred to as a map or symbol table
Enqure
enqueue inserting a value at the end of a queue
Field
field a single data item in a record, e.g. FamilyName
FIFO
first in first out (FIFO) the first element in a queue is the first element out of the queue
Floating Point
floating point computer representation of real numbers, with decimal places
Hard Coding
hard-coding to include fixed data in a program that cannot be changed during run-time and can only be changed by modifying the program source code
Hash Function
hash function a function that takes a key value and returns another, related, value that is normally smaller than the original value
Hash Table
hash table a data structure that uses a hash function to map keys to values by computing an index that is related to, but smaller than, the initial key
Header
header comment a set of meaningful comments at the top of a source code file, outlining information such as the name of the file, its purpose, the author’s name and the date of creation
Hungarian Notation
Hungarian notation a naming convention in computer programming where the name of the variable or function determines its purpose and its data type or structure
Imperfect Hash
imperfect hash a hash function where two or more keys can be computed to have the same hash index
Inheritance
inheritance a method of basing an object or class on another object or class, taking on its attributes and methods and potentially extending upon them
Instantation
instantiation in object oriented programming, the process by which an object is created from a class
Integer
integer a data type representing whole positive and negative numbers
Integer Overflow
integer overflow a condition occurring as a result of a mathematical operation where the output exceeds the maximum or minimum integer value that can be stored on that computer system
Interface
interface within software, the place where people control the program, enter data and receive output
Internal Documentation
internal documentation notes and code comments contained within source code that describe the code
LIFO
last in first out (LIFO) the last element in a stack is the first element out of the stack
Linked List
linked list a data structure containing an ordered set of elements in which each element is connected to the next element in the list
Mock up
mock-up a sketch showing how a screen or printout will look, used to aid in the design of an interface
Naming Convention
naming convention an agreed set of rules by which to name source code elements such as variables, functions, classes, methods and objects
Node
node a basic unit of a data structure that may contain data and/or link to other nodes
Non-technical Constraints
non-technical constraints limitations relating to areas other than hardware and software: social, legal and usability
Numeric
numeric a data type consisting of whole numbers, referred to as integers, and decimal numbers, referred to as floating points
Object
object any instantiated class that a program can inspect and/or change, in terms of appearance, behaviour or data
Object Description
object description a way of describing all of the relevant properties, methods and events of an object
Parent Element
parent element any element in an XML file that contains at least one sub-element
Perfect Hash
perfect hash a hash function where no two keys can be computed to have the same hash index
Plain Text
plain text file a structured file that contains characters of readable data
Pointer
pointer a programming language element that stores the memory address of another data value located in memory; the pointer ‘points’ to that memory space
Stack
pop an element of data removed from the top of a stack, moving all remaining stack elements up one place
Prolog
prolog the information in an XML file that appears before the start of the document’s contents, including information such as the XML version and character encoding that is being used
Pseudocode
pseudocode code that designs algorithms in a clear, human-readable, language-independent format
Stack
push an element of data inserted at the top of a stack, moving all current stack elements down one place
Queue
queue a ‘first in first out’ data structure storing elements to be processed in order
RAM
RAM random access memory; a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; it is most often volatile memory that is lost if power is removed
Record
record a complete set of fields relating to an entity, such as a person
Root Element
root element a parent element to all other elements in an XML file
Scope
scope the boundaries or parameters of the solution – what it will do and what it will not do
Snake Case
snake case a naming convention in programming where each word or abbreviation in the middle of a phrase is joined using an underscore
Solution requirements
solution requirements what the client needs from the solution in relation to its features
Technical constraints
technical constraints constraints related to the hardware and software available for the project
Text File
text file a structured file containing sequences of characters that are not encrypted, such as a plain text file or CSV file
Tree
tree the structure of an XML file that contains a root element and all of its sub-elements
Variable
variable a method of storing and labelling data to be referenced and manipulated in a computer program
Version Control
version control system a software product that manages the revisions, changes and parallel editing of source code and its related documentation
XML
XML eXtensible Markup Language, a metalanguage that allows for user-defined tags and rules for encoding documents in a format that is readable by humans and machines
Stack
stack a ‘last in first out’ data structure
String
string a data type representing a set or sequence of character data types
Struct
struct record used in database systems and programming languages
