703Ordinal data type A data type in which each value (except the first) has a unique
predecessor and each value (except the last) has a unique successor
Out-of-bounds array index An index value that is either less than zero or
greater than the array size minus one
Overloading The repeated use of a method name with a different signature
Override To provide an instance method in a derived class that has the same
form of heading as an instance method in its superclass. The method in the
derived class redefines (overrides) the method in its superclass. We cannot
override class methods
Package A collection of related classes
Package A named collection of object classes in Java that can be imported by a
program
Peripheral device An input, output, or auxiliary storage device attached to a
computer
Pixel An abbreviation of “picture elements”; the individual dots that make up an
image on a display screen
Polymorphic An operation that has multiple meanings depending on the class
of object to which it is bound
Precision The maximum number of significant digits
Programming Developing instructions for carrying out a task involving a set of
objects
Programming language A set of rules, symbols, and special words used to con-
struct a computer program
Public interface The members of a class that can be accessed outside of the
class, together with the modes of access that are specified by other modifiers
Recursive algorithm A solution that is expressed in terms of (1) smaller
instances of itself and (2) a base case
Recursive call A method call in which the method being called is the same as
the one making the call
Recursive definition A definition in which something is defined in terms of
smaller versions of itself
Registering a listener Adding a listener to an event source’s list of interested lis-
teners
Representational error An arithmetic error that occurs when the precision of the
true result of an arithmetic operation is greater than the precision of the machine
Reserved word A word that has special meaning in Java; it cannot be used as a
programmer-defined identifier
Responsibility An action that an implementation of an object must be capable
of performing
Reuse The ability to import a class into code that uses it without additional
modification to either the class or the user code; the ability to extend the defi-
nition of a class
Scalar data type A data type in which the values are ordered and each value is
atomic (indivisible)
Scope of access (scope) The region of program code where it is legal to reference
(use) an identifier