HP Pascal/iX Programmer's Guide (31502-90023)

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GLOSSARY
actual parameter
An argument that is passed to a procedure, function, or subprogram.
Contrast with formal parameter .
address
An exact location in memory. A program can store or retrieve data from
this address.
algorithm
A procedure used to solve a task. It describes the sequence of steps or
operations, done in a finite number of steps.
allocate
To set up a memory location to hold variable values.
alpha character
A character in the range of A through Z and a through z.
alphanumeric character
A character in the range of A through Z, a through z, and 0 through 9.
argument
A variable or constant whose value is passed to a procedure or function.
See actual parameter , formal parameter , or parameter .
arithmetic expression
An expression that performs arithmetic operations and consists of
constants, variables, and arithmetic operators.
array
A data structure in which consecutive memory locations contain data items
of the same type.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a seven-bit code
representing a prescribed set of characters.
assembly language
A programming language in which each operation performed by the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) is written as a symbolic instruction. Assembly
language is a convenient means of representing machine language. A
program known as an assembler translates inst ructions written in
assembly language into machine language.
assignment statement
Assigns a value to a variable or function by using the special Pascal
symbol ":=".
binary
The method used to represent numbers, alphabetic characters, and symbols
in digital computers. It is a base two numbering system that uses only
two digits, 0's and 1's, to express numeric quantities.
bit
A unit of information with a value of 1 or 0. Usually eight bits equal
one byte. A bit is the smallest unit of information in a digital
computer.
block
Blocks contain groups of statements for programs, procedures, and
functions, and are enclosed with the reserved words begin and end .