package declarationA declaration used to name a package. This must be the first item in a source file, preceding any import statements. For instance, package java.lang;
parallel programmingA style of programming in which statements are not necessarily executed in an ordered sequence but in parallel.
parameterA value or measurement that varies with circumstances, and is used as a reference to quantify a situation or a process.
parameter entityAn entity that consists of DTD specifications, as distinct from a general entity.
parsed entityA general entity that contains XML and therefore is parsed when inserted into the XML document, as opposed to an unparsed entity.
parserA module that reads in XML data from an input source and breaks it into chunks so that your program knows when it is working with a tag, an attribute, or…
parsingUsually applied to the action of a compiler in analyzing a program source file for syntax errors.
PassivationA chemical reaction that eliminates the detrimental effect of electrically reactive atoms on a photovoltaic cell's surface.
patternCan describe where active fish are holding, or what techniques are working to catch fish, especially larger fish.
PCS (Personal Communications Service)Personal Communications Service (PCS) is a suite of second-generation, digitally modulated mobile-communications interfaces that includes TDMA, CDMA, and…
PDAP (Personal Digital Assistant Profile)The Personal Digital Assistant Profile (PDAP) is a Java ME profile specification designed for small platforms such as PalmOS devices.
PDCP (Parallel and Distributed Computing Practices)Parallel and Distributed Computing Practices (PDCP) are often used to describe computer systems that are spread over many devices on a network (wired or…
peeran individual having expertise in a specific functional area or discipline gained through documented training and experience.
peripheral devicesDevices attached to a computer, such as printers, disk drives, mice, etc.
persistenceAbility of an organism to remain in a particular setting for a period of time after it is introduced.
persistent fieldA virtual field of an entity bean that has container-managed persistence; it is stored in a database.
Personal ProfileThe Personal Profile is a Java ME profile specification. Layered on the Foundation Profile and CDC, the Personal Profile will be the next generation of…
PersonalJavaPersonalJava is a Java environment based on the Java virtual machine (JVM) and a set of APIs similar to a JDK 1.1 environment.
pipeA circular conduit constructed of any one of a number of materials that conveys water by gravity or under pressure.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is an image format offering lossless compression and storage flexibility.
POAPower of Attorney - formal assignment to another of the right to legally act on your behalf
point-to-point messaging systemA messaging system built on the concept of message queues. Each message is addressed to a specific queue; clients extract messages from the queues…
pollingThe process of repeatedly testing until a condition becomes true. Polling can be inefficient if the time between tests is short compared with the time it…
polymorphism(PAH-lee-MOR-fih-zum) A common variation or mutation in DNA.
popup menuA menu of actions that is normally not visible on the screen until a mouse button is clicked.
PortAn implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called port-a-cath.
portablePortability is the quality of a program that makes it possible to run it on different types of computers.
precedence rulesThe rules that determine the order of evaluation of an expression involving more than one operator.
preemptThe currently executing thread may be preempted, or forced to yield control, by a higher priority thread that becomes eligible to run during its timeslice.
preverificationDue to memory and processing power available on a device, the verification process of classes are split into two processes.
primary keyOne or more attributes whose values uniquely identify a row in a database table. See also foreign key.
primitive typeJava's eight standard non-class types are primitive types: boolean, byte, char, double, float, int, long and short.
PrincipalFace value of an obligation, such as a bond or a loan, that must be repaid at maturity.
priority levelEach thread has a priority level, which indicates to the scheduler where it should be placed in the pecking order for being run.
privateA Java keyword used in a method or variable declaration. It signifies that the method or variable can only be accessed by other elements of its class.
privilegeA benefit or advantage to certain persons beyond the advantages of other persons, i.e., an exemption, immunity, power, etc.
processA method of making something, a process of operating something or a process of using something. Under U.S. law, one of the statutory classes of inventions.
processing instructionInformation contained in an XML structure that is intended to be interpreted by a specific application.
profileA sectional view showing grades and distances, usually taken along the centerline.
profilesA profile is a collection of Java APIs that complements one or more Java 2 Platform Editions by adding domain-specific capabilities.
program counterA program counter is an integral part of a computer's Central Processing Unit. It contains a reference to the memory address of the next instruction to be…
programmatic securitySecurity decisions that are made by security-aware applications. Programmatic security is useful when declarative security alone is not sufficient to…
prologThe part of an XML document that precedes the XML data. The prolog includes the declaration and an optional DTD.
propagationThe duplication of a whole plant from a range of vegetative materials; adapted for in vitro culture as micropropagation.
propertyFor this survey, property means real estate; that is, land and anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings and those things attached to…
protectedA Java keyword used in a method or variable declaration. It signifies that the method or variable can only be accessed by elements residing in its class…
protected accessProtected access is available to a class member prefixed with the protected access modifier.
protocolAn action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what the study will do, how, and why.
ProvisioningProvisioning is the act of putting a grid component into the active state so that it is available to a consumer of the service or resource it supplies.
publicA Java keyword used in a method or variable declaration. It signifies that the method or variable can be accessed by elements residing in other classes.
public interfaceThe members of a class prefixed with the public access modifier. All such members are visible to every class within a program.
public key certificateA unique electronic stamp stored in a Notes or Domino ID file that associates a name with a public key.
publish/subscribe messaging systemA messaging system in which clients address messages to a specific node in a content hierarchy, called a topic.
punctuationSymbols such as commas and semicolons, which a compiler uses to understand the structure of a program.