#includes:
The #include directive instructs the preprocessor to read and include a file into a source
code file. The file name is typically enclosed with < and > if the file is a system provided
file, or in quotes if the file is user provided.
Abstract class:
A class that can only be used as a base class for some other class. A class is abstract if it
has at least one pure virtual function.
Aggregate:
An array or object of a class with no constructors, no private or protected members,
no base classes, and no virtual functions. Also see initializer and initialization.
Alias:
Defining an alias for a structure or built- in type allows use of the alias as if it were a
new type. In C, the keyword is typedef. It’s a bad idea to alias (have two objects pointing
to the same data) unless one of those objects is a temporary variable.
Allocation:
The process of giving memory space to an object. Also see dynamic storage,
static storage, and deallocation
Argument:
When calling a function, refers to the actual values passed to the function. Also
see parameter.
Array:
An ordered and indexable sequence of values. C++ supports arrays of a single
dimension (a vector) or of multiple dimensions.
Assignment:
The process of giving a value to a pre-existing object. Also see copy constructor and
initialization.
Base class:
A class that serves as a base for a derived class to inherit members from. Also
see inheritance.
Bit:
A bit is the smallest unit of memory that can be manipulated. It has a binary or boolean
value of 0 or 1. Within memory bits are combined to form bytes and words. Depending
on its type, a variable in a program is stored in some number of bytes.
Bool:
C++ keyword used to declare a Boolean data type.
Break:
C++ keyword used to specify a statement that is used to break out of a for or while
loop or out of a switch statement.
Byte:
A byte is a grouping of eight bits which a computer typically groups as one logical unit. It
is usually the smallest addressable unit of memory.
Call by reference:
Passing a pointer to an argument to a function. The function can then change
the argument value. Also see call by value. http://www.vustudents.net
Call by value:
Passing a copy of an argument to a function. The function cannot then change the
argument value. C and C++ use call by value argument passing. But also see pointer
and reference, also see call by reference.
Case:
A C++ keyword used to denote an individual element of a switch statement.
Char:
A C++ keyword used to declare an object of character type. Often considered the same
as a byte, though it is possible to have multi-byte characters.
cin:
In C++ stream I/O, the standard input stream.
Class:
A C++ keyword used to declare the fundamental building block of C++ programs. A
class has a tag, members, access control mechanisms, and so on.
Class layout:
The way in which data class members are arranged in a class object
Class member:
A constituent member of a class, such as a data declaration, a function, or a nested class.
Class template:
A template used for generating class types.
Comments:
C++ has C-style comments delimited with /* and */, and new C++-style line-oriented
comments starting with //.
Compiler:
A software tool that converts a language such as C++ into a different form,
typically assembly language. http://www.vustudents.net
Const:
A C++ keyword used to declare an object as constant or used to declare a
constant parameter.
Constructor:
A function called when a class object comes into scope. The constructor is used to
initialize the object. See allocation, copy constructor, and destructor.
Continue:
C++ keyword used with for and while statements to continue the iteration at the top
of the loop.
Copy constructor:
A special type of constructor that is called when an object is copied.
cout:
In C++ stream I/O, the standard output stream.
Data structure:
The term data structure refers to the way data is organized for use within a program.
Correct organization of data can lead to simpler and more efficient algorithms. Common
data structures are linked-lists, stacks, queues and trees.
Debugger:
A tool for stepping through the execution of a program, examining variables, setting
breakpoints, and so on.
Declaration:
A C++ entity that introduces one or more names into a program. declaration specifies to
the compiler the types of all the elements of an identifier; “this function or this piece of
data exists somewhere else, and here is what it should look like.” See also definition for
definition.
Default argument:
An optional argument to a function. A value specified in the function declaration is
used if the argument is not given. http://www.vustudents.net
Definition:
Instantiates an identifier, allocating its memory. A declaration can also be a definition.
You can declare data or a function in many difference places, but can define it only once.
Delete operator:
C++ keyword and operator used to delete dynamic storage.
Derived class:
A class that inherits members from a base class.
Destructor:
A function called when a class object goes out of scope. It cleans up the object,
freeing resources like dynamic storage.
Do:
A C/C++ reserved word that allows construction of an iterative loop. The statements
in the body always execute at least once. Also see while.
Double:
A fundamental data type in C and C++. Double variables are used to store floating-
point values. They offer greater precision and can store larger numbers than floats.
Dynamic memory allocation:
The process of dynamically creating objects in the heap or free store during program
runtime. Statically created objects, created by the compiler, are put on the program stack.
Else:
C++ keyword, part of the if statement, that allows conditional execution of code.
endl:
The standard C++ library provides a set of manipulator functions that can modify the
state of iostream objects. endl writes a new line to output.
Explicit:
A C++ keyword used in the declaration of constructors to indicate that conversion of
an initializer should not take place.
Expression:
A combination of constants, variables, and operators used to produce a value of
some type.
Expression statement:
A statement that is an expression, such as a function call or assignment.
Float:
A C++ keyword used to declare a floating point type.
For:
A C++ keyword used to specify an iteration or looping statement.
Friend:
A type of declaration used within a class to grant other classes or functions access to that
class.
Function:
A C++ entity that is a sequence of statements. It has its own scope, accepts a set
of argument values, and returns a value on completion.
Function overloading:
The capability of having several routines in a program with the same name. The
different functions are distinguished by their parameter types, return value types, or
both; the compiler automatically selects the correct version, based on parameter types
and return types.
Garbage collection:
A way of automatically managing dynamic storage such that explicit cleanup of
storage is not required. C++ does not have garbage collection.
Global variable:
A variable that is accessible throughout the whole program, whose lifetime is that of the
program.
goto:
C++ keyword, used to transfer control within a C++ function.
Header file:
A file containing class declarations, preprocessor directives, and so on, and included in a
translation unit. It is expanded by the preprocessor.
Heap:
A pool of memory used for dynamic memory allocation. Blocks of memory from this
area are allocated for program use during execution using the new operator in C++
and the malloc function in C.
If:
C++ keyword used in conditional statements, that allows conditional execution of code.
Inheritance:
The process whereby a derived class inherits members from a base class. A derived class
will also add its own members to those of the base class.
Inline:
C++ keyword used to declare an inline function.
Inline function:
A function that can be expanded by a compiler at the point of call, thereby saving the
overhead time required to call the function. Best for recursive and loop calls. Provides
type safety and side-effects protection not afforded by #define.
int:
The C/C++ keyword int is used to declare an integer variable.
Interface:
C++ separates its interface from its implementation. The interface in C++ is the class
definition of an object, and its methods. The interface doesn’t specify how the methods
work; this is done in the class implementation. Only the interface need be compiled at
compile time. The implementation can be linked (or even written) at any time. You can
compile a system to make sure it all fits together without writing its implementation.
Keyword:
http://www.vustudents.net
A reserved identifier in C++, used to denote data types, statements of the language, and
so on. Keywords are reserved words that serve a special purpose within a programming
language. They may declare the type or properties of an object, or allow creation of
program structure such as branches or loops. They may not by used as identifiers or
object (variable) names.
Label:
A name that is the target of a goto statement.
Linker:
A program that combines object files and library code to produce an executable program.
In C++, often refers to an instance of a class. Also more loosely refers to any
named declaration of a variable or other entity that involves storage.
OOP:
Acronym for object-oriented programming.
Operator:
A builtin operation of the C++ language, like ddition, or an overloaded
operator corresponding to a member function of a class.
Operator overloading:
To treat a C++ operator like << as a function and overload it for particular parameter
types. The assignment of more than one function to a particular operator, with the
implication that the operation performed will vary depending on the data type
(operands) involved.
Overload:
To specify more than one function of the same name, but with varying numbers and
types of parameters.
Parameter:
Refers to the variables passed into a function.
Pointer:
An address of an object.
Pointer to data member:
A pointer that points at a data member of a class.
Pointer to function:
An address of a function or a member function.
Preprocessing:
A stage of compilation processing that occurs before the compiler proper is invoked.
Preprocessing handles macro expansion among other things. In C++ use of const and
inline functions makes preprocessing less important.
Preprocessor:
A device or routine that performs preliminary operations on input before passing it on
for further processing. See also preprocessing.
Private:
A C++ keyword used to specify that a class member can only be accessed from
member functions and friends of the class. See access control, protected, and public.
Protected:
A C++ keyword used to specify that a class member can only be accessed by member
functions and friends of its own class and by member functions and friends of classes
derived from this class. See also private and public.
Prototype:
A prototype is a function declaration. Function declarations are generally placed in
header files.
Public:
A C++ keyword used to specify that class members are accessible from any (non-
member) function.
Queue:
A queue is a data structure that supports FIFO, first in first out processing. Objects will
be processed in the order they enter a queue. Conceptualize a queue as a water pipe. The
first water to flow in will be the first water to flow out of the other end.
Reference:
Another name for an object. Access to an object via a reference is like manipulating the
object itself. References are typically implemented as pointers in the underlying
generated code.
Register:
C++ keyword used as a hint to the compiler that a particular local variable should be
placed in a machine register.
Reserved word:
Keywords that serve a special purpose within a programming language. They may
declare the type or properties of an object, or allow creation of program structure such as
branches or loops. They may not by used as identifiers or object (variable) names.
Return:
C++ keyword used for returning values from a function.
Return value:
The value returned from a function.
Scope:
The region of a program where a name has visibility. Generally, the domain of objects
and calls within which an object can exist. A struct name or enum in an inner scope can
obscure a global of the same name in an outer scope. In C++, enum constants embedded
in a struct def have the same scope as that struct’s fields. http://www.vustudents.net
Short:
A C++ fundamental type used to declare small integers.
Signed:
C++ keyword used to indicate a signed data type.
String:
A set of consecutive characters treated by a computer as a single item. In C, strings are
represented in null , ‘\0’, terminated character arrays. In C++, it is common to use the
string class, which is part of the standard C++ library to hold and manipulate strings.
Switch:
C++ keyword denoting a statement type, used to dispatch to one of several sequences
of statements based on the value of an expression.
Template:
A parameterized type. A template can accept type parameters that are used to
customize the resulting type.
Template argument:
An actual value or type given to a template to form a template class.
Template class:
A combination of a template with a template argument list via the process of template
instantiation.
This:
C++ keyword used in a member function to point at the object currently being
operated on.
Union:
A structure somewhat like a class or struct, except that individual union members
share the same memory.
Virtual function:
A member function whose interpretation when called depends on the type of the object
for which it is called; a function for an object of a derived class will override a function
of its base class.
While:
C++ keyword used to declare an iteration statement. It means ‘do until the condition is
true’.