Excel VBA

Introduction To VBA: Macros And Automation Part 1

Language Basics

General Terminology

The terminology described below are placed in alphabetical order, and not in any order of importance. This is also not an exhaustive list, there are many other relevant terms and phrases which exist within the world of computer science, the goal of this list is to give an understanding of the more generally applicable terms.

  • Application

A program or multiple programs which have a user-interface, enabling end-users to perform a variety of functions.

  • Algorithm

A set of instructions to perform a complete action.

Ex: calculating an average is the made up of steps: finding the range of data, adding the values together, counting the number of values, dividing the sum of the values by their count.

  • Bug

A more common synonym for an error. An all-encompassing term for every type of error.

  • Call

A piece of code or the act of indicating to a program which series of instructions they are to perform.

  • Code

A written series of instructions which follow a specific structure that describe a series of instructions to be performed by a computer.

  • Coding

The process of translating code between programming languages. Often used as a synonym to programming despite it being a subset of programming.

  • Command

A single instruction for a computer to process.

  • Crash

The common term to describe the unintended termination of a program. When a program closes and ceases its operations due to an error.

  • Data

A synonym for information, normally in the context of the inputs and outputs of computer programs. Can be numbers, characters, symbols, or other values.

  • Debugging

The process of searching for and resolving bugs in programs.

  • Error

The result of code which results in the production of an incorrect operation, but does not cause a program to terminate unintentionally.

  • Function

A set of instructions which can be called repeatedly to perform a specific task.

  • Hardware

The overarching term to describe physical components, which when combined, form a device capable of performing computational tasks. This is normally used as an antonym to software.

  • Loop

A set of code whose purpose is to perform the actions defined within it over and over until a specific criterion is met.

  • Parameter

A piece of information used in functions that is required for them to work as intended.

  • Program

A set of instructions which a computer is able to carry out.

  • Programming

The process of developing code which can run without producing unintended errors. It can be considered as the process of translating inputs from humans into computer outputs.

  • Software

The overarching term to describe the programs and other information a computer uses to operate. This is normally used as an antonym to hardware.

  • Variable

A name which is used as a placeholder within code. It can be changed and adapted as many times as needed within a program.