CS 201 – Short Notes

Glossary
#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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Macro:
A preprocessor feature that supports parameter substitution and expansion
of commonly-used code sequences. Also see inline function.
Main:
Every C or C++ program must have one and only one main function.
Program execution begins with the first statement in main
malloc:
malloc is used to dynamically allocate memory in the C programming
language. malloc returns a pointer of type void to a memory buffer of a
requested size, or null if it fails. It may also be used in C++, although new is
preferred.
Manipulators:
Special iostream functions permitting specific i/o operations while in the
middle of stream insertion or extraction. These functions switch appropriate
iostream format flags.
Memory leak:
In C/C++, it is possible to allocate space for objects (variables) dynamically
during program execution. After finishing use of a dynamically allocated
object, it is necessary to explicitly release the memory consumed by the
object, particularly before pointers to the object go out of scope. Failure to
do so results in a memory leak. Long running programs or those that
allocate memory extensively can consume or occupy enough of a computers
memory to seriously hinder performance when memory leaks are present.
Name mangling:
A way of encoding an external name representing a function so as to be able
to distinguish the types of its parameters.
New operator:
C++ keyword and operator used to allocate dynamic storage.
Null pointer:
A pointer value that evaluates to zero.
Object:
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 used by 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.
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'.