Online Computer Terms Dictionary - S

statically typed

static typing

static analysis

<theory, programming> A family of techniques of program analysis where the program is not actually executed (as opposed to dynamic analysis), but is analyzed by tools to produce useful information.

Static analysis techniques range from the most mundane (statistics on the density of comments, for instance) to the more complex, semantics-based techniques.

Qualities sought in static analysis techniques are soundness and completeness.

(2003-04-12)

static database management system

<database> (static DBMS) A database consisting of "information-based relationships", one that is rigorously structured to facilitate retrieval and update in terms of inherent relationships. This creates a static environment wherein the locations of the related records are already known. Typical static DBMS are either hierarchical (IMS, System 2000) or a CODACYL (network or plex) DBMS (such as TOTAL, IDMS, IDS, DMS-2). These environments facilitate rapid, high volume processing of data.

The opposite is a dynamic database management system.

(1998-10-07)

static DBMS

static database management system

static link

<compiler> (Or "access link" or "environment link") A pointer from an activation record to the activation record for the textually enclosing scope. A static link is only required in a statically (lexically) scoped language.

The number of static links to follow may be determined statically (at compile time). It is simply the difference in lexical nesting depth between the declaration and the reference.

See also display.

(1995-03-07)

static nested scope

<programming> Where the scope of an identifier is fixed at compile-time to be the smallest block (begin/end, function, or procedure body) containing the identifier's declaration. This means that an identifier declared in some block is only accessible within that block and from procedures declared within it.

This term is used in the Python community.

Compare lexical scope.

(2002-02-18)

static nested scoping

static nested scope

static RAM

static random access memory

static random access memory

<storage> (SRAM) Random access memory in which each bit of storage is a bistable flip-flop, commonly consisting of cross-coupled inverters. It is called "static" because it will retain a value as long as power is supplied, unlike dynamic random access memory (DRAM) which must be regularly refreshed. It is however, still volatile, i.e. it will lose its contents when the power is switched off, in contrast to ROM. SRAM is usually faster than DRAM but since each bit requires several transistors (about six) you can get less bits of SRAM in the same area. It usually costs more per bit than DRAM and so is used for the most speed-critical parts of a computer (e.g. cache memory) or other circuit.

(1995-04-22)

static scope

lexical scope

static typing

<programming> Enforcement of type rules at compile time rather than at run time. Static typing catches more errors at compile time than dynamic typing.

Ada, C, C++, Haskell, Java, and ML are examples of statically typed languages.

Statically typed languages may have strong typing or weak typing.

(2004-07-20)