Understanding C++/Glossary


 * api: an interface made by a system or library to provide access to features and services


 * build: the process of compiling source code files into executable files


 * cache: an area of RAM used to temporarily store data. This reduces the time taken to access the data.


 * executable: a file which can be read as by a computer, containing instructions to be executed


 * flush: A method of forcing any data in the cache to be written to the output device.


 * function: a portion of code which performs a specific task and is relatively independent of the remaining code. Also known as subroutine although this is less often used in C++


 * header: a file which is included into the program, usually for the purposes of reusing the code in other files. Headers typically contain functions.


 * IDE: an integrated development environment, may include a text editor, compiler and debugger or other variations.


 * integers: informally, a "whole number". An integer is any positive natural number (1, 2, 3...), any negative natural number (-1, -2, -3...) or zero (0).


 * runtime error: an error that occurs upon execution of a program i.e. infinite loop.


 * syntax error: an error which causes the compiler to fail while creating an executable. The error must be fixed for the code to be compiled successfully.


 * variable: a variable assigns a particular instance of an object type a name or label by which the instance can be referred to. Typically a variable is bound to a particular address in computer memory that is automatically assigned to at runtime, with a fixed number of bytes determined by the size of the object type of a variable and any operations performed on the variable effects one or more values stored in that particular memory location.


 * Some simple variables include:
 * int - this creates a variable that is an integer (32 bits)
 * long - this too creates an integer variable, but it supports 64 bits
 * short - this again creates an integer, but it only supports 16 bits
 * float - this creates a variable that supports decimals
 * double - this creates a variable that supports MORE decimals
 * bool - this creates a boolean variable, that can only be true or false (1 bit)
 * char - this allows one character to be entered (i.e. "W") (7 or 8 bit)