CS 1110 Prelim 1

Key terms for CS 1110 Prelim 1

Argument

Expression that appears within parentheses of function call. Python will evaluate this expression and copy its values into the appropriate parameters.

Assert Statement

Statement of the form: assert <boolean-expression> or assert <boolean-expression>, <string-expression>. If the boolean expression is true, an assert statement does nothing. If it is false, it produces an error and crashes Python.

Assignment Statement

<variable> = <expression>

If the variable does not exist yet, it creates the variable and stores the value of the expression inside. If the variable exists, the old value is replaces with the value of the expression.

Attribute

Variable stored inside of an object that can often be modified.

Call Frame

Formal representation of what Python uses when executing a function call. It contains the name of the function as well as all parameters and local variables. It also has an instruction counter that tracks the next line in the function that is to be executed. A call frame is deleted as soon as the call completes.

Call Stack

All the call frames of the currently executing function calls

Class

Any type not built into Python

Conditional Statement

if <boolean-expression>:

| <statement>

Constructor

Function that creates a mutable object. It puts the object in heap space and returns the name of the object so you can store it in a variable.

Expression

Python code that produces a value. Must be put inside of a statement.

Function

Parameterized sequence of statements, whose execution performs some task. Should be followed by a docstring ('“““…”””) that is precise and clear.

Fruitful function

Function that performs some task and returns a value

Function call

Invocation of a function with arguments. These arguments are placed into the parameter variables, and the body of the function is executed.

Function Header

the first line of a function definition. it includes the keyword def, the function name, parentheses, any parameters, and a colon.

Global space

area of memory that stores any variable not defined in the body of a function. Variables remain until explicitly erased or Python is quit.

The Heap

area of memory that stores mutable objects. it also stores function definitions and the contents of modules imported.

Literal

a literal is an expression, that when evaluated, evaluates to itself. An expression that is also a value

Method

Functions stored inside of an object.

Object

A value whose type is a class. Typically contain attributes which are variables inside of the object.

Print statement

print(<string-expression>)

Procedure

A function that performs some type of task and doesn’t return a value.

Return statement

return <expression>

Scope

Set of places in which a variable name can be referenced. global variables can be referenced by any function that is defined in the same module as the global variable or which imports that module. the scope of a parameter or local variable is the body of the function in which it is defined.

Specification

description of what a function should do. includes preconditions on the arguments, the return value, and any other details

Statement

command for Python to do something (assignment statements, return statements, assert statements, conditional-statements, import statements, procedures)

Type

set of values and the operations on them

Variable

named box that contains a value