Software Engineering Glossary

Software Engineering Glossary

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label	A name or identifier assigned to a computer program statement to enable other statements to refer to that statement. One or more characters, within or attached to a set of data, that identify or describe the data.
language	A systematic means of communicating ideas by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks and rules for the formation of admissible expressions. A means of communication, with syntax and semantics, consisting of a set of representations, conventions, and associated rules used to convey information. See also: computer language.
language processor	A computer program that translates, interprets, or performs other tasks required to process statements expressed in a given language. See also: assembler; compiler; interpreter; translator.
language standard	A standard that describes the characteristics of a language used to describe a requirements specification, a design, or test data.
latency	The time interval between the instant at which an instruction control unit issues a call for data and the instant at which the transfer of data is started.
lateral compression	In software design, a form of demodularization in which two or more modules that execute one after the other are combined into a single module. Contrast with: downward compression; upward compression.
leading decision	A loop control that is executed before the loop body. Contrast with: trailing decision. See also: WHILE.
library	See: software library.
licensing standard	A standard that describes the characteristics of an authorization given by an official or a legal authority to an individual or organization to do or own a specific thing.
life cycle	See: software life cycle; system life cycle.
link	To create a load module from two or more independently translated object modules or load modules by resolving cross-references among them. See also: linkage editor. A part of a computer program, often a single instruction or address, that passes control and parameters between separate modules of the program. Syn: linkage. To provide a link as in (2).
linkage	See: link (2).
linkage editor	A computer program that creates a single load module from two or more independently translated object modules or load modules by resolving cross-references among the modules and, possibly, by relocating elements. May be part of a loader. Syn: linker. See also: linking loader.
linked object	A representation or placeholder for an object that is inserted into a destination document. The object still exists in the source file and, when it is changed, the linked object is updated to reflect these changes.
linker	See: linkage editor.
linking loader	A computer program that reads one or more object modules into main memory in preparation for execution, creates a single load module by resolving cross-references among the separate modules, and, in some cases, adjusts the addresses to reflect the storage locations into which the code has been loaded. See also: absolute loader, relocating loader; linkage editor.
list	A set of data items, each of which has the same data definition. To print or otherwise display a set of data items.
list box	A type of box in a dialog box that lists available choices--for example, a list of all files in a directory. If all the choices do not fit in the list box, there is a scroll bar.
list processing language	A programming language designed to facilitate the manipulation of data expressed in the form of lists. Examples are LISP and IPL. See also: algebraic language; algorithmic language; logic programming language.
listing	An ordered display or printout of data items, program statements, or other information.
literal	In a source program, an explicit representation of the value of an item; for example, the word FAIL in the instruction: If x = O then print "FAIL". See also: immediate data; figurative constant.
load	To read machine code into main memory in preparation for execution and, in some cases, to perform address adjustment and linking of modules. See also: loader. To copy computer instructions or data from external storage to internal storage or from internal storage to registers. Contrast with: store (2). See also: fetch; move.
load map	A computer-generated list that identifies the location or size of all or selected parts of memory-resident code or data.
load module	A computer program or subprogram in a form suitable for loading into main storage for execution by a computer; usually the output of a linkage Editor. See also: object module.
load-and-go	An operating technique in which there are no stops between the loading and execution phases of a computer program.
loaded origin	The address of the initial storage location of a computer program at the time the program is loaded into main memory. Contrast with: assembled origin. See also: offset (1); starting address.
loader	A computer program that reads machine code into main memory in preparation for execution and, in some cases, adjusts the addresses and links the modules. Types include absolute loader, linking loader, relocating loader. See also: bootstrap; linkage editor. Any program that reads programs or data into main memory.
local	A resource, such as a printer, directory, or ClipBook page, that is physically connected to or located on your computer rather than connected via a network.
local compaction	In microprogramming, compaction in which microoperations are not moved beyond the boundaries of the single-entry, single-exit sequential blocks in which they occur. Contrast with: global compaction.
local data	Data that can be accessed by only one module or set of nested modules in a computer program. Contrast with: global data
local printer	A printer that is directly connected to one of the ports on your computer.
local variable	A variable that can be accessed by only one module or set of nested modules in a computer program. Contrast with: global variable.
lockout	A computer resource allocation technique in which shared resources (especially data) are protected by permitting access by only one device or process at a time. See also: deadlock: semaphore.
log on	To gain access to the Windows network features so that you can connect to resources that other people are sharing. If you use a logon password, you are prompted to type your logon name and password when you start Windows . If you do not use a logon password, you are logged on automatically.
logic programming language	A programming language used to express programs in terms of control constructs and a restricted predicate calculus; for example, PROLOG. See also: algebraic language; algorithmic language; list processing language.
logical cohesion	A type of cohesion in which the tasks performed by a software module perform logically similar functions; for example, processing of different types of input data. Contrast with: coincidental cohesion; communicational cohesion; functional cohesion; procedural cohesion; sequential cohesion; temporal cohesion.
logical trace	An execution trace that records only branch or jump instructions. See also: execution trace; retrospective trace; subroutine trace; symbolic trace; variable trace.
logical type	A data type whose members can assume only logical values (usually TRUE and FALSE) and can be operated on only by logical operators, such as AND, OR, and NOT. Contrast with: character type; enumeration type; integer type; real type.
logon name	The name you supply when you log on to Windows . This name is used to identify you to other people on the network.
logon password	A password that you use to log on. This password unlocks your password list so that Windows can restore your connections automatically.
logon script	A batch file written by a LAN Manager or Windows NT network administrator that performs a set of tasks when you log on to a LAN Manager domain or a computer running Windows NT. Each person who uses your computer can have their own logon script with their own set of tasks.
loop	A sequence of computer program statements that is executed repeatedly until a given condition is met or while a given condition is true. Syn: iterative construct. See also: loop body; loop control; UNTIL; WHILE. To execute a sequence of computer program statements as in (1).
loop assertion	A logical expression specifying one or more conditions that must be met each time a particular point in a program loop is executed. Syn: loop invariant. Contrast with: input assertion; output assertion. See also: inductive assertion method.
loop body	The part of a loop that accomplishes the loop's primary purpose. Contrast with: loop control.
loop control	The part of a loop that determines whether to exit from the loop. Contrast with: loop body. See also: leading decision; trailing decision.
loop invariant	See: loop assertion.
loop-control variable	A program variable used to determine whether to exit from a loop.
loopback testing	Testing in which signals or data from a test device are input to a system or component, and results are returned to the test device for measurement or comparison.
low level language	See: assembly language.
luminosity	The brightness of a color on a scale from black to white.