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CS201 Short Notes

#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:

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

Macro:

A preprocessor feature that supports parameter substitution and expansion of

commonlyused 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:

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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.

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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:

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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 (nonmember)
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:

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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

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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'.

The END

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