noun
literal
A fixed value written directly in source code.
The number 42 is a literal in this line of code.
Etymology
Literal means concerned with what is written directly. In programming, a literal states its value explicitly in the code instead of obtaining it through a named variable or calculation.
More examples
- This assignment uses a string literal to store the greeting.
- Replace the repeated literal with a named constant.
- The Boolean literal false turns off this option.
Forms
literal · literals
Similar words
- constant
- Usually names a fixed value rather than writing it directly.