event-controlled loop a loop that terminates when something happens inside the loop body to signal that the loop should be exited
expression statement a statement formed by appending a semicolon to an expression
external (head) pointer a pointer variable that points to the first node in a dynamic linked list
external representation the printable (character) form of a data value
F
field (member, in C++) a component of a record
file a named area in secondary storage that is used to hold a collection of data; the collection of data itself
flow of control the order in which the computer executes statements in a program
formal parameter a variable declared in a function heading
free store (heap) a pool of memory locations reserved for allocation and deallocation of dynamic data
function a subprogram in C++
function call (function invocation) the mechanism that transfers control to a function
function call (to a void function) a statement that transfers control to a void function. In C++, this statement is the name of the function, followed by a list of actual parameters.
function definition a function declaration that includes the body of the function
function prototype a function declaration without the body of the function
function value type the data type of the result value returned by a function
functional cohesion a property of a module in which all concrete steps are directed toward solving just one problem, and any significant subproblems are written as abstract steps. The principle that a module should perform exactly one abstract action
functional equivalence a property of a module that performs exactly the same operation as the abstract step it defines. A pair of modules are also functionally equivalent to each other when they perform exactly the same operation.
G
general case the case for which the solution is expressed in terms of a smaller version of itself; also known as recursive case
H
hardware the physical components of a computer
hierarchical records records in which at least one of the components is itself a record
I
identifier a name associated with a function or data object and used to refer to that function or data object
inaccessible object a dynamic variable on the free store without any pointer pointing to it
indirect addressing accessing a variable in two steps by first using a pointer that gives the location of the variable
infinite recursion the situation in which a function calls itself over and over endlessly
information any knowledge that can be communicated
information hiding the encapsulation and hiding of implementation details to keep the user of an abstraction from depending on or incorrectly manipulating these details
inheritance a mechanism by which one class acquires the propertiesthe data and operationsof another class
input/output (I/O) devices the parts of the computer that accept data to be processed (input) and present the results of that processing (output)
interactive system a system that allows direct communication between user and computer
interface a connecting link at a shared boundary that allows independent systems to meet and act on or communicate with each other. Also, the formal description of the purpose of a subprogram and the mechanism for communicating with it
