Vocabulary Terms

Building Apps

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Terms

Boolean
A single value of either TRUE or FALSE.
Boolean Expression
In programming, an expression that evaluates to True or False
Callback function
a function specified as part of an event listener; it is written by the programmer but called by the system as the result of an event trigger.
Concatenate
to link together or join. Typically used when joining together text Strings in programming (e.g. "Hello, "+name)
Conditional
Statement that only runs under certain conditions.
Data Type
All values in a programming language have a "type" - such as a Number, Boolean, or String - that dictates how the computer will interpret it. For example 7+5 is interpreted differently from "7"+"5"
Equality operator
Comparison/logical operator: evaluates to true when the operands have the same value.
Event
An action that causes something to happen.
Event handling
an overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions.
Event-driven program
a program designed to run blocks of code or functions in response to specified events (e.g. a mouse click)
Expression
Any valid unit of code that resolves to a value.
Global variable
A variable whose scope is "global" to the program, it can be used and updated by any part of the code. Its global scope is typically derived from the variable being declared (created) outside of any function, object, or method.
If-Statement
The common programming structure that implements "conditional statements".
Local Variable
A variable with local scope is one that can only be seen, used and updated by code within the same scope. Typically this means the variable was declared (created) inside a function -- includes function parameter variables.
Selection statement
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Variable
A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.
Variable scope
dictates what portions of the code can "see" or use a variable, typically derived from where the variable was first created. (See Global v. Local)