# Terms and definitions from Course 7
A
Algorithm: A set of rules that solve a problem
Argument (Python): The data brought into a function when it is called
Automation: The use of technology to reduce human and manual effort to perform common and repetitive tasks
B
Boolean data: Data that can only be one of two values: either True or False
Bracket notation: The indices placed in square brackets
Built-in function: A function that exists within Python and can be called directly
C
Command-line interface: A text-based user interface that uses commands to interact with the computer
Comment: A note programmers make about the intention behind their code
Conditional statement: A statement that evaluates code to determine if it meets a specified set of conditions
D
Data type: A category for a particular type of data item
Debugger: A software tool that helps to locate the source of an error and assess its causes
Debugging: The practice of identifying and fixing errors in code
Dictionary data: Data that consists of one or more key-value pairs
E
Exception: An error that involves code that cannot be executed even though it is syntactically correct
F
File path: The location of a file or directory
Float data: Data consisting of a number with a decimal point
Function: A section of code that can be reused in a program
G
Global variable: A variable that is available through the entire program
I
Immutable: An object that cannot be changed after it is created and assigned a value
Indentation: Space added at the beginning of a line of code
Index: A number assigned to every element in a sequence that indicates its position
Integer data: Data consisting of a number that does not include a decimal point
Integrated development environment (IDE): A software application for writing code that provides editing assistance and error correction tools
Interpreter: A computer program that translates Python code into runnable instructions line by line
Iterative statement: Code that repeatedly executes a set of instructions
L
Library: A collection of modules that provide code users can access in their programs
List concatenation: The concept of combining two lists into one by placing the elements of the second list directly after the elements of the first list
List data: Data structure that consists of a collection of data in sequential form
Local variable: A variable assigned within a function
Log: A record of events that occur within an organization's systems
Logic error: An error that results when the logic used in code produces unintended results
Loop variable: A variable that is used to control the iterations of a loop
M
Method: A function that belongs to a specific data type
Module: A Python file that contains additional functions, variables, classes, and any kind of runnable code
N
Notebook: An online interface for writing, storing, and running code
P
Parameter (Python): An object that is included in a function definition for use in that function
Parsing: The process of converting data into a more readable format
PEP 8 style guide: A resource that provides stylistic guidelines for programmers working in Python
Programming: A process that can be used to create a specific set of instructions for a computer to execute tasks
Python Standard Library: An extensive collection of Python code that often comes packaged with Python
R
Regular expression (regex): A sequence of characters that forms a pattern
Return statement: A Python statement that executes inside a function and sends information back to the function call
S
Set data: Data that consists of an unordered collection of unique values
String concatenation: The process of joining two strings together
String data: Data consisting of an ordered sequence of characters
Style guide: A manual that informs the writing, formatting, and design of documents
Substring: A continuous sequence of characters within a string
Syntax: The rules that determine what is correctly structured in a computing language
Syntax error: An error that involves invalid usage of a programming language
T
Tuple data: Data structure that consists of a collection of data that cannot be changed
Type error: An error that results from using the wrong data type
U
User-defined function: A function that programmers design for their specific needs
V
Variable: A container that stores data
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