Michael Henson's

Glossary of Computer Science Terms

Index | 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


I

IDE: Integrated Development Environment -- a programming system that integrates several programming tools (such as a source code editor, a compiler, and a debugger) into one package
idempotent operation: an operation that can be performed repeatedly with the same effect as if it had been performed exactly once
identifier: a series of letters, digits, and underscores used to name program units such as classes, methods, and variables
identity: a distinguishing characteristic of an object that denotes a separate existence of the object even though the object may have the same data values as another object
implementation: a stage in the development cycle in which a design is realized in an executable form
improper fraction: a fraction in which the numerator is larger than the denominator
inherently concurrent: two objects that can receive events at the same time without interacting
inheritance: the sharing of attributes and operations among classes based on a heirarchical relationship
initialize: to set a starting value for a variable
inner class: a class whose definition is nested inside another class's definition
instance: an object described by a class
instantiation: the process of creating instances from classes
instruction pointer: See program counter
internetwork: a network consisting of several interconnected local-area networks
intentions list: a list recorded by the server that contains all the names and values that are altered by a transaction
invariant: a statement about some condition or relationship that must always be true.
invocation: an access to an encapsulated resource
irrational number: a decimal that is nonterminating and nonrepeating