- M
-
- machine language
- A language that can be used directly by the computer without intermediate processing.
See native language.
- macro
- There are two types of macros: (1) An object-like macro replaces a single
identifier with the specified replacement tokens. (2) A function-like macro is an
identifier followed by arguments or a parenthesized list of arguments. With both macro
types, the preprocessor replaces the identifier with the replacement code located in a
#define preprocessor directive. See predefined macro.
- main function
- An external function with the identifier main, which is the first user
function -- after exit routines and C++ static object constructors -- to get control when
program execution begins. Each C and C++ program must have exactly one function in the
global scope named main.
- A utility that processes a makefile.
- makefile
- A text file that contains commands, which may include commands to do backups, set up
build environments, or start execution of a program. Traditionally, makefiles specify the
dependencies of target files on source files.
- mangling
- The encoding during compilation of identifiers such as function and variable names to
include type and scope information. The prelinker uses these mangled names to ensure
type-safe linkage. See demangling.
- manipulator
- A value that can be inserted into streams or extracted from streams to affect or query
the behavior of the stream.
- map file
- A listing file that can be created during the prelink or link step and that contains
information on the size and mapping of segments and symbols.
- mark
- In the editor, a symbol or symbols that indicate the beginning or the end of a field; a
word; an item of data; or a set of data, such as a file, record, or block. IBM.
- mask
- A pattern of bits or characters that controls the keeping, deleting, or testing of
portions of another pattern of bits or characters. I, ANSI.
- MBCS
- See multibyte character set.
- MDI
- See multiple document interface.
- member
- Data, functions, or types contained in classes, structures, or unions.
- member function
- (1) In C++, an operator or function that is declared as a member of a class. A member
function has access to the private and protected data members and member functions of
objects of its class. (2) A function that performs operations on a class. See nonmember function.
- message
- A request from one object that the receiving object implement a method. Because data is
encapsulated and not directly accessible, a message is the only way to send data from one
object to another. Each message specifies the name of the receiving object, the method to
be implemented, and any parameters the method needs for implementation.
- method
- See member function.
- MIDI
- Musical instrument digital interface.
- migrate
- To move an application to a changed version of the same operating environment or
application development software. Contrast with port.
- mix
- (1) An attribute that determines how the foreground of a graphic primitive is combined
with the existing color of graphics output. (2) The combination of audio or video sources
during postproduction.
- mixer
- A device used to simultaneously combine and blend several inputs into one or two
outputs.
- mixin class
- A class designed to be combined with other classes through inheritance. Mixin classes
are usually abstract.
- modal dialog box
- A dialog box that, once opened, blocks input to the rest of the application or to the
whole system until it is answered by a user event. See dialog
box, event.
- mode
- (1) A collection of attributes that specifies a file's type and its access permissions. X/Open,
I. (2) In IBM Common User Access (CUA) interface design, a method of operation in
which the actions that are available to a user are determined by the state of the system.
- module
- A linkable program unit that usually performs a particular function and that can be
identified for compiling, combining with other units, and loading. A module may be
self-contained or may contain references to other modules that must be satisfied when
linking occurs.
- monadic operation
- See underflow.
- monitor
- In VisualAge C++, a view that allows a programmer to track the contents of objects and
variables while a debugging action is taking place.
- mount
- (1) To place a data medium in a position to operate. (2) To make recording media
accessible.
- Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG)
- (1) A group that has established a standard for compressing and storing motion video and
animation in digital form. (2) A compression standard for video and audio data that is
stored on mass media.
- MPEG
- See Moving Pictures Experts Group.
- multibyte character
- A mixture of single-byte characters from a single-byte character set and double-byte
characters from a double-byte character set. See single-byte character set, double-byte character set.
- multibyte character set (MBCS)
- A character set whose characters consist of more than 1 byte. Used in languages such as
Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, where the 256 possible values of a single-byte character
set are not sufficient to represent all possible characters. See single-byte character set, double-byte character set.
- multibyte control
- See escape sequence.
- multicharacter collating element
- A sequence of two or more characters that collate as an entity. For example, in some
coded character sets, an accented character is represented by a non-spacing accent,
followed by the letter. Other examples are the Spanish elements ch and ll. X/Open.
- multimedia
- Computer-controlled presentations combining three or more of the following elements:
text, graphics, animation, full-motion images, still video images, and sound.
- multiple document interface (MDI)
- An interface that uses a primary window to contain related document windows. The parent
window's title bar is displayed along with the child window's title bar. If the child
window displays a document window, an icon that indicates the application data's file type
appears in the child window's title bar. The IBM Open Class Library does not support
multiple document interface.
- multiple inheritance
- (1) An object-oriented programming technique implemented in C++ through derivation, in
which the derived class inherits members from more than one base class. (2) The
structuring of inheritance relationships among classes so a derived class can use the
attributes, relationships, and functions used by more than one base class. See inheritance.
- multitasking
- (1) A mode of operation that allows concurrent performance or interleaved execution of
more than one task or program. (2) A process that allows a computer or operating system to
run multiple applications or tasks concurrently by dividing the processor's time among
them rapidly. See preemptive multitasking.
- multithread
- Pertaining to concurrent operation of more than one path of execution within a computer.
- multithreading
- A process that allows a multitasking operating system to multitask subportions (threads)
of an application smoothly.
- musical instrument digital interface (MIDI)
- A standard used in the music industry for interfacing digital musical instruments.
- mutex object
- A means of coordinating access to a shared resource so that it cannot be used by more
than one thread or process at a time. Mutex is short for mutually exclusive.
