Software and programming glossary

A piece of information/value that is required by a function to perform a task.

The order in which values are calculated.

When a variable is allocated a particular data type (integer, string, Boolean, float).

When a program is executed one statement at a time under user control.

They take two operands and compare them, returning True or False depending on the outcome.

When a value is assigned to a variable.

Pre-existing libraries of subprograms that are built into the programming language.

It occurs when a program statement cannot be understood because it does not follow the rules of the programming language

Text included in code that is for the human reader and is ignored by the program.

They take two operands and perform a calculation on them.

A block of program commands that are executed sequentially, i.e. one after the other.

A variable assignment that stays the same throughout a program.

Pre-existing libraries of sub-programs that can be imported and used in the programming language.

An error in the code that prevents a program from running properly, or from running at all.

A subprogram that returns a value.

Allow the programmer to watch for certain events, such as variables changing as the program is running.

A whole number, e.g. 45.

Logical data that can only have one of two values, i.e. True or False

A text editor with useful built in tools to help programmers develop programs, e.g. IDLE.

An error detected during program execution, often due to a mistake in the algorithm or in the type of data used.

A subprogram that does not return a value.

A variable assignment that is available throughout the whole program.

Test data that is outside the normal range and should be rejected by the program.

A piece of code that keeps repeating until a certain condition is reached.

A list of tests to be carried out, designed to test a program in the widest possible range of situations to see it works

It looks a bit like a programming language but, unlike a real programming language, it does not require a strict syntax

It is a way of describing an algorithm using English words to describe each step of the process.

The names that appear in a function definition when passing data to a function.

Data used in a test plan to test what happens when the input data is valid, invalid or extreme.

A small computer program that runs within another computer program.

Interface in which users interact with the computer program by using a keyboard to enter commands and make selections

A number with a fractional part, e.g. 34.67. Also known as a real number.

A sequence of characters that can include letters, spaces, symbols.

The set of instructions that form a program written in a particular programming language.

They take two operands and compare them.

A group of related data items. Examples include strings, arrays and lists.

The parts of a program such as variable declarations, data structures or subprograms.

An error in the design of a program, such as the use of a wrong programming control structure.

The value returned by a subprogram.

A variable assignment that is only available within a subprogram.

A graphical representation of an algorithm that uses flow lines and shapes to represent the operations.

A sequence of steps to perform a task.

A named location in a computer’s memory where data is stored.

The absolute (non-negative) value of a number.

Positioning a block of code, e.g. a for loop or an if statement, further from the margin than the main program.

A co-ordinate system that specifies a point uniquely using (x,y) co-ordinates.

The classification of data as being a string, integer, float or Boolean

A technique used to test for logical errors in a program.

Point in code when a program is halted and the programmer can investigate the values of variables to help locate errors

Designed to ensure that a program only operates on appropriate data, e.g. that it has an appropriate format or value.

Division in which the remainder is discarded

Data that is sent out from a program to a screen, a file or a printer.

A type of user interface that uses windows, icons, buttons and menus. A pointer is used to make selections.

Test data that is within the normal range and should be accepted by the program.

A tool that helps to detect, locate and correct faults (or bugs) in programs.