Python - Glossary

4.13 Glossary

modulus operator

An operator, denoted with a percent sign (%), that works on integers and yields the remainder when one number is divided by another.

boolean expression

An expression that is either true or false.

comparison operator

One of the operators that compares two values: ==, !=, >, <, >=, and <=.

logical operator

One of the operators that combines boolean expressions: and, or, and not.

conditional statement

A statement that controls the flow of execution depending on some condition.

condition

The boolean expression in a conditional statement that determines which branch is executed.

compound statement

A statement that consists of a header and a body. The header ends with a colon (:). The body is indented relative to the header.

block

A group of consecutive statements with the same indentation.

body

The block in a compound statement that follows the header.

nesting

One program structure within another, such as a conditional statement inside a branch of another conditional statement.

recursion

The process of calling the function that is currently executing.

base case

A branch of the conditional statement in a recursive function that does not result in a recursive call.

infinite recursion

A function that calls itself recursively without ever reaching the base case. Eventually, an infinite recursion causes a runtime error.

prompt

A visual cue that tells the user to input data.