Chapter 1 Definitions Flashcards
Computer program
A set of instructions that you write to tell a computer what to do.
Hardware
General term for computer equipment
Software
General term for computer programs
Application Software
Performs tasks for users
System Software
Manages the computer software
Logic
Executing the various statements and procedures in the correct order to produce the desired results
Machine language
The circuitry- level language that represents a series of on and off switches
Low-level programming language
Written to correspond closely to a computer processor’s circuitry
High-level programming language
Allows you to use English-like vocabulary to write programs
Syntax
Refers to the rules that define the ways language elements are used together correctly to create usable statements
Keywords
The words that are a part of a programming language
Program statements
Similar to English sentences, Carry out the tasks that programs perform
Commands
Program Statements
Compiler
A program that translates language statements into machine code; it translates an entire program at once before any part of the program can execute
Interpreter
Is a program that translates language statements into machine code; it translates one statement at a time, allowing a program to execute partially
Executing a statement or program
To carry it out
At run time
A phrase that describes the period of time during which a program executes
Syntax error
A programming error that occurs when you introduce typing errors into your program or use the programming language incorrectly; a program containing syntax errors cannot be translated into an executable program
Debugging a program
The process that frees it of all errors
A bug
A flaw or mistake in a computer program
Logic error
Programming bug that allows a source program to be translated to an executable program successfully, but that produces incorrect results
Semantics error
Occurs when you use a correct word in the wrong context in program code
Procedural programming
Is a style of programming in which sets of operations are executed
Variables
Named computer memory locations that hold values that might vary
Procedures
Sets of operations performed by a computer program
Call a procedure
To temporarily abandon the current logic so that the procedure’s commands can execute
Writing Object-oriented programs
Includes creating classes, creating objects from those classes, and creating applications that use those objects
Computer simulations
Are programs that attempt to mimic real-world activities so that their processes can be improved or so that users can better understand how the real-world processes operate
Graphical user interfaces (GUI)
(“Gooeys”) Allow users to interact with a program in a graphical environment
A class
A group or collection of objects with common properties
A class definition
Describes what attributes its objects will have and what those objects will be able to do
Attributes
Characteristics that define an object as part of a class
Properties
Attributes of a class
Objects
An instance of a class
Instance of a class
object
Instantiation
The process of creating an object
State of an object
The set of values for its attributes
Method
Self- contained block of program code, similar to a procedure
Encapsulation
Refers to the enclosure of data and methods within an object
Inheritance
Is the ability to create classes that share the attributes and methods of existing classes, but with more specific features
Polymorphism
Describes the feature of languages that allows the same word to be interpreted correctly in different situations based on the context
Java
Object-oriented language used both for general-purpose business applications and for interactive , World Wide Web-based Internet applications
Architecturally neutral
Describes the feature of java that allows you to write programs that run on any platform (operating system)
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Hypothetical (software -based) computer on which Java runs
Source code
Consists of programming statements written in a high-level programming language
jGRASP
Is a developed environment and source code editor
Development environment
Is a set of tools that help you write programs by providing such features as displaying a language’s keywords in color
Bytecode
Consists of programming statements that have been compiled into binary formats
Java interperter
A program that checks bytecode and communicates with the operating system , executing the bytecode instructions line by line within the Java Virtual Machine.
Applets
Java programs that are embedded in a Web page
Java Applications
Stand alone Java programs
Console applications
Support character or text output to a computer screen
Windowed applications
Create a graphical user interface with elements such as menus, toolbars, and dialog boxes
Literal string
A series of characters that appear exactly as entered. Any literal string in Java appears between double quotation marks
Arguments
Information passed to a method so it can perform its task
Passing arguments
The act of sending arguments to a method
Standard output device
the monitor
Identifier
name of a program component such as a class, object, or variable
Unicode
International system of character representation
Pascal casing
Naming convention in which identifiers start with an uppercase letter and use an uppercase letter to start each new word
Upper camel casing
Pascal casing
Access specifier
Defines the circumstances under which a class can be accessed and the other classes that have a the right to use a class
Class body
Set of date items and methods between the curly braces that follow the class header
Whitespace
Any combination of nonprinting characters, such as spaces, tabs and carriage returns(Blank lines)
Static
Means a method is accessible and usable even though no objects of the class exist
void (in a method header)
Indicates that the method does not return any value when its called
Compile-time error
is when the compiler detects a violation of language syntax and is unable to translate the source code to machine code
Parsing
The process the compiler uses to divide source code into meaningful portions for analysis
Clean build
Is created when you delete all previously compiled versions of a class before compiling again
Run-time error
Occurs when a program compiles successfully but does not execute
Program comments
Non-executing statements that you add to a Java file for the purpose of documentation
To comment out a statement
To turn into a comment so the compiler will not execute its command
Line comments
Start with two forward slashes(//) and continue to the end of the current line. Line comments can appear on a line by themselves or at the end of a line following executable code
Block comments
Start with a forward slash and an asterisk (/) and end with an asterisk and a forward slash(/). Block comments can appear on a line by themselves, on a line before executable code, or on a line after executable code. Block comments also can extend across as many lines as needed
Javadoc
Comments are block comments that generate documentation . They begin with a forward slash and two asterisks(/**) and end with an asterisk and a forward slash(*/)
Documentation comments
Comments that automatically generate nicely formatted program documentation
Dialog box
Is a GUI object resembling a window in which you can place messages you want to display
Import statement
Accesses a built-in Java class that is contained in a package
Package
Contains a group of built-in Java class that is contained in a package
Java API
The application programming interface , a collection of information about how FAQs are frequently asked questions
JDK
Java Development kit
SDK
Software development kit or a set of tools useful to programmers
