Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

attribute: an attribute of an object is part of the memorized information of that object. In other words, using the attribute of some object does not involved computation. An attribute is either constant or variable. When not constant, attribute means exactly what instance variable means.

anchored type: bla bla bla ...

B

back-end: it is the last part of a compiler which after each class has been analyzed and no error has been detected, builds the executable that runs all the operations described in the source program.

SmartEiffel provides two back-ends: a C back-end and a Java back-end.

C

contravariance: bla bla bla ...

compiler: bla bla bla...

covariance: bla bla bla ...

D

design pattern : bla bla bla ...

dynamic dispatch: bla bla bla ...

dynamic type: bla bla bla ...

E

expression: bla bla bla ...

F

feature: feature is used to denote either an attribute, a function or a procedure as well. Hence, feature also includes method.

function: bla bla bla ...

H

heap: bla bla bla ...

I

instance : synonym of object. An object or an instance of some class.

instance variable: one memory field of some object. As indicated, this memory field can be accessed for read or for write as well. The preferred Eiffel terminology is writable attribute.

instruction: bla bla bla ...

L

language: bla bla bla...

late binding : see dynamic dispatch.

library: bla bla bla...

live type : bla bla bla...

local variable : bla bla bla...

M

method: is the equivalent of routine, that is to say, a method can be a function or a procedure as well.

P

procedure: bla bla bla ...

R

routine: routine is short-hand to say procedure or function. Hence routine is also the equivalent of method.

S

side-effect: bla bla bla ...

stack: bla bla bla ...

static type: bla bla bla ...

T

type prediction: bla bla bla ...