Our Python tutorial includes this useful glossary for our code academy students, programmers, and web developers. It is part of our free Python course.
If you are not already taking part in our online code academy, you can learn python by completing our online Python tutorial.
Python Glossary (A-M)
| List | Meaning or Definition |
| Argument | Information that is required by a function so that it can perform its task. (This is usually a string or number) |
| Bug | Code that causes issues and stops the program from functioning properly, or at all. |
| Casting | The process of converting one data-type into another |
| Commenting | Text in a computer program that is for the human reader and is ignored by the computer when the program is executed. |
| Comparative/logic operators | Used to compare data in a program. For example: == and > |
| Constant | A number that never changes. |
| Data-type | Different ways the computer stores information, for example, floats, integers, and strings. |
| Default | The value given to an argument or variable as a starting point. |
| Equals Operator | Using the ‘=’ sign to assign a value to a variable in coding. |
| Execute | Another way of saying run. To execute code is to run it, compiling the code and outputting the result. |
| Float/Real | A decimal number |
| Function | A section of code that can be called and reused |
| Global Variable | A variable that is usable anywhere in a program. |
| IDE | Integrated Development Environment (the place where you write/run code) |
| Infinite Loop | A section of code that keeps running forever. |
| Integer | A whole number (not a decimal). |
| Local variable | A variable that is defined inside a function and is only usable inside that function. |
| Loop | Code that keeps repeating until a certain condition is met. |
| Method | The name for a function in a class. |
| Module | A saved python file whose functions can be used by another program |
| Modulus | An arithmetic operator that is used to calculate the remainder from a division calculation. For example: 10 mod 3 = 1 |
Python Glossary (O-Z)
Operator – A symbol that performs an operation/function on a piece of code, for example adding two numbers
Output – When data from a program is sent to a screen, speaker or printer etc.
Return – The value a function will produce after it has been run.
Statement – A snippet of code. A piece of code that represents a command or action. For example, the print statement
String – A linear sequence of characters, words, or other data, which can be stored in a variable.
Syntax Error – An error produced when a computer fails to run a program because it cannot recognise the code supplied
Variable – A place in the computer’s memory where data is stored. A variable can be called (used/summoned) anywhere within the program
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