Question | Answer |
parameter passing | The assignment of values to parameters to be used in a procedure. |
parity bit | A binary digit appended to a group of binary digits to make the sum of all the digits, including the appended binary digit, either odd or even as established beforehand. |
pass-by-reference | The parameter-passing mechanism by which the address of a variable is passed to the subprogram called. If the subprogram modifies the formal parameter, the corresponding actual parameter is also changed. In Java, all objects, are pass-by-reference. |
pass-by-value | The parameter passing mechanism by which a copy of the value of the actual parameter is passed to the calling procedure. If the called procedure modifies the formal parameter, the corresponding actual parameter is not affected. |
peripheral device | Any device that can communicate with a particular computer, for example: input/output units, auxiliary storage, printers. |
pointing device | An instrument, such as a mouse, trackball or joystick, used to move an icon on the screen. |
primary memory | The part of the memory where the data and programs that are in use at the time are stored. |
primitive data type | Integer, real, character or Boolean data types. |
private class members | Members of a class that are only accessible from methods inside the class. |
protocol | An internationally agreed set of rules to ensure transfer of data between devices. A standard protocol is one that is recognized as the standard for a specific type of transfer. For example, TCP/IP. |
prototyping | The construction of a simple version of a system in the design stage, showing the user interface but without full processing behind it. |
pseudo code | An artificial language used to describe computer program algorithms without using the syntax of any particular language. |
public class members | Members of a class that are accessible from anywhere and from any class. |