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QuickBasicNews Issue 1: DICTIONARY OF TERMS
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∫ DICTIONARY OF TERMS ∫
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This section contains terms used within this issue
of QuickBasicNews. This dictionary will continue to grow
as new terms are introduced in future issues.
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Arrays An array is one of the most fundamental data structures used in
computer programming. An array uses a unique variable name to
identify a list of items. Individual items within the array are
identified by a subscript contained within parentheses following
the variable name.
Example: Day$(1) = "Sunday"
Day$(2) = "Monday"
......etc through
Day$(7) = "Saturday"
Code A general term used to refer to the actual computer
program. The BASIC statements that make up the computer
program.
Compiler A compiler takes the statements written in a human readable
language ( such as BASIC ) and turns those statements into a
machine language executable program. This machine language can
then be read by your computer directly. Compiled programs
generally run much faster than interpreted ones. See QBasic,
QuickBasic, Interpreter, and Machine Language.
Constant Generally a value assigned within a computer program that
does not change during program execution.
CPU Stands for Central Processing Unit. Think of it as the
brain of the computer.
Environment Any time you are operating within the QuickBasic editor
you are operating within the environment. The editor is the
program you run when you want to run or edit your programming
code. The environment provides you with the tools to work with the
programming language itself. These tools include items to print,
debug, search, or check the syntax of your code among other
things.
Interpreter An interpreter ( such as the one included with QuickBasic )
takes programming statements written in a human readable form
( such as BASIC ) and translates them one line at a time into a
form that your computer can use. An Interpreted program must
share memory space with the interpreter. Interpreted programs
run slower than compiled ones and cannot be turned into stand
alone .EXE program files without the use of a Compiler. See
QBasic, QuickBasic, and Compiler.
Interrupt An interrupt is a hardware or software generated signal
that temporarily stops the CPU from what it is doing so
that it can go and process something else. See CPU.
Libraries A library generally contains a group of different routines or
subprograms. A library may be written in one of several different
programming languages. Libraries can be included within QuickBasic
programs. These libraries often provide routines that would be
unavailable with the QuickBasic language itself. Once a library of
routines has been created it can be called upon without having
to rewrite the code necessary to perform its function. Although
no new releases of QuickBasic 4.5 are planned, new libraries keep
breathing new life into QuickBasic by expanding its capabilities.
Machine Language This is the language that your computer processor
understands directly. This language consists of the binary digits
1 and 0 only. These ones and zeroes represent only one of two
states, generally thought of as on and off, or yes and no. In
machine language a combination of these is an instruction
that is understood by the CPU ( Central Processing Unit ),
directly without having to be Interpreted. See Interpreter.
Module Level Code Generally considered to be the main body of the
actual programming code. Procedures are also modules of code, but
generally refer to Subroutines and Function Calls. See also
Procedure.
Procedure A general term used to identify sections of programming code.
Larger programs break up code into small modules. Each module
might perform an individual task. By breaking the program up into
smaller modules, even the largest of programs becomes in essence
just many small programs connected together in a logical
manner. These individual modules are often called procedural
modules or simply procedures. Subroutines and Function calls are
often referred to as procedures.
QBasic QBasic has been included with all versions of MS-DOS since the
release of version 5.0 QBasic is an interpreted language. An
Interpreter takes your coded instructions and translates them a line
at a time into a form that the computer can use. With QBasic alone
you cannot compile your program into a self running .EXE file.
See QuickBasic and Compiler.
QuickBasic QuickBasic is the compiler version of BASIC that was offered
by Microsoft. QuickBasic was not included with the DOS operating
system, and had to be purchased separately. Although QBasic and
QuickBasic appear similar, QuickBasic includes a true Compiler. With
QuickBasic you can compile your BASIC programming code into stand
alone .EXE files. The latest version of QuickBasic is version 4.5 and
no further releases are planned. QuickBasic allows you to use
libraries written in other languages that extend the usefulness
of QuickBasic. See Libraries and Compiler.
String Variable A variable that is assigned a string of characters. Such
a variable is often used to store text. String variable names are
identified by a dollar sign ($) which is placed at the end of the
string variable name.
Variable Generally a value assigned in a computer program that may change
during program execution.
