Programming Glossary

Algorithm
An algorithm is a computational system of processing data that produces a predictable result.

Application Program Interface (API)
The application program interface (API) refers to the means by which a program service is invoked.

Argument
Extra information which the computer uses to perform commands. Some commands have stricter requirements than others. Some do not require all arguments but have optional arguments.

Assignment
Giving a value to a variable. If a variable is seen as a container for data, assignment is filling the container with meaning, or value.

Attributes
Within a class, an attribute is a defined quality of that class. It is similar in function to a string or integer variable but, because it is inextricably related to the class in which it is defined, it is an attribute of the class. All objects which belong to a class naturally share its attributes. See also methods.

Bang Line
In interpreted languages such as Python, one is allowed to tell the computer where to find the Python interpreter. By doing so, one need not tell it explicitly at the time of running the program. <more>

Blackbox Debugging
Blackbox Debugging In Python

CGI
Short for the Common Gateway Interface. CGI specifies the way a web browser (client) can request or send information to a website (server). CGI was intended to standardize the way the browser and the server relate. For this reason, CGI can be written in any programming language.

Classes
Classes are blueprints for commonly used and related variables and functions. An instance of a class is called an object. Classes are the bedrock of object-oriented programming.

Concatenate
To combine two or more strings such that they become a new string value.

doc string
A string which follows a function in order to detail its purpose in a way that is easily accessible to Python and not just the programmer.

Function
A grouping of re-usable code which consists of particular data structures and algorithms. A function should be used whenever the same code would be repeated two or more times.

Graphic User Interface
Definition of graphic user interface.

GUI
Definition of GUI

Integer
Mathematically, an integer is simply a number without a decimal like 0, 1, -1, 2, -2, etc. However, in Python, an integer (short for 'integer literal') is a container for numerical data. Therefore a variable that holds a numeric value of any sort is considered an integer literal in Python.

Iteration
The repetition of a loop in which the computer repeatedly does something. Iteration is also known as looping.

Loop
The repetition of code based upon certain conditions expressed by one of the following conditionals: if...elif...else, while, or for. The body of the loop is that part in which the computer does something if the condition is true. Looping is also known as iteration.

Methods
In object-oriented programming, a function that is defined as part of a class is one of that class' methods. See also attributes.

Modules
Modules are small pieces of pre-written Python code that you can import into your programs. Using the 'import' command, you can effectively "cut and paste" all or part of a module. Regardless of whether the module is from the Python library or another program, the computer does not see a difference between the module and your program.

Object
An object is an instance of a class. It therefore has all of the same attributes and methods of that class.

Object-Oriented Programming
Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm that focuses by constructing objects (instances of classes) which interact with each other to solve problems.

Operation
Statements which use programming commands to tell a computer to do something.

Protocol
A protocol is a set format for exchanging information. When you phone someone, their number must be in a set format. In one group of countries, that format is "(123) 456-7890", but in others it is "01234 567890" or "01 23 45 678". Like dialing a telephone number, a program must relay information in such formats to be understood by other programs on other computers.

RDBMS
RDBMS is the abbreviation for "relational database management system", a system for the creation, manipulation, and deletion of relational databases in part or in toto. Well known RDBMS systems are PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, and Access. Almost all modern RDBMS use SQL for their statements.

Regular Expressions
A regular expression, or regex, is a term that signifies or matches a set of expressions. The set signified or matched is determined by the shorthand notation, or terms, used in the regular expression.

Shell
When speaking of Python programming, there are two shells that are commonly referenced. The first is the shell in which the command is executed. This is sometimes called the terminal or prompt. <more>

SQL
SQL stands for the Structured Query Language. It is a standard language used for querying RDBMS.

String
A string is the smallest type of variable that holds non-numeric data. Word, phrases, lines of a file, and full sentences are examples of string values. In Python, a string can also hold a number, but it does so as a non-numeric value. That is, it treats it as a character rather than a operand of arithmetic.

Substring
A string is the smallest type of variable that holds non-numeric data. Word, phrases, lines of a file, and full sentences are examples of string values. In Python, a string can also hold a number, but it does so as a non-numeric value. That is, it treats it as a character rather than a operand of arithmetic.