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- machine language
- A language that can be used directly by the computer
without intermediate processing. See native language.
- macro
- An identifier followed by arguments or a parenthesized
list of arguments that the preprocessor replaces with the
replacement code located in a preprocessor define
directive. See predefined
macro.
- macro source file
- A primary source file that contains global macros.
- 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 named main.
- make
- A utility that processes a makefile to build a project's
target.
- makefile
- A text file that specifies the dependencies of target
files on source files, and states the commands to create
target files from sources.
- 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.
- manual-reset event
- In the Windows operating system, an event used to signal
several threads simultaneously that an operation has
completed. See event.
- 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.
- 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.
- mode
- A collection of attributes that specifies a file's type
and its access permissions. X/Open, I.
- 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.
- module definition file
- A file used by the linker that contains module statements
that define general attributes of the executable being
linked, segment attributes, and imported or exported
functions and data.
- monadic operation
- See underflow.
- monitor
- A window that allows a programmer to track specific types
of messages as 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.
- 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.
- multibyte control
- See escape sequence.
- 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.
- 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
- A semaphore that synchronizes data access across multiple
processes. A mutex object is either signaled or
nonsignaled, and is owned by a thread. See critical section, semaphore, event, signaled,
nonsignaled.
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