Expression (computer science): Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 02:47, 15 March 2009

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An '''expression''' in a [[programming language]] is a combination of [[value (computer science)|value]]s, [[variable]]s, [[operator (programming)|operator]]s, and [[function (programming)|function]]s that are interpreted (''[[Evaluation (disambiguation)|evaluated]]'') according to the particular [[Order of operations|rules of precedence]] and of association for a particular programming language, which computes and then produces (''returns'', in a [[state (computer science)|stateful]] environment) another value. The expression is said to ''evaluate to'' that value. As in [[mathematicsmath]], the expression ''is'' (or can be said to ''have'') its evaluated value; the expression is a representation of that value.So, in mathmatics, an expression is a representation of a value.

Expressions may or may not have [[Side effect (computer science)|side effect]]s. An expression with side effects does not normally have the property of [[referential transparency (computer science)|referential transparency]].