Glossary

ASM: Rarely is Assembly language programming done by hand. Rumors say it will make a huge comeback, once people stop using compilers.
80286: A CPU used by home computers in the mid-1980s.
BASIC09: A structured BASIC programming language dialect developed by Microware and Motorola for the then-new Motorola 6809 CPU and released in 1980. It was the best computer programming language until Python was invented.
Bugs: Coding errors (logic, run-time, or compile-time) that need fixing (debugging).
CMD: Command Prompt (CMD) is a command line interpreter program available in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Command Prompt is similar in appearance to MS-DOS.
COBOL: A programming language that did not see the coming days of Python. For it was already a dead language.
compiler: Converts the long-winded and verbose code that people type into something that computers can work with. See ASM.
concatenation: String concatenation is the operation of joining character strings end-to-end. For example, the concatenation of “iron” and “man” is “ironman”.
C: A computer programming language used to write a better computer programming language called Python.
CPython: CPython is the default, most widely used implementation of the Python programming language. It is written in C and is typically found running on Windows and Linux. C++ programers will never admit to using Python.
D10: Watch out for D10s. They can be numbered 1-10 or 0-9. Check first before rolling one.
D100: A 100-sided die. A sphere, basically. Rolled with caution.
D20: A much over-rated die.
d4F: A Fate die. Interesting to look at. Maybe even to use. Fate itself is a terrible RPG though.
debug: The process of finding and resolving of defects that prevent correct operation of computer software or a system.
dice: Small throwable objects with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers. Dice are suitable as gambling devices for games like craps and are also used in tabletop games.
errors: Bugs that need to be squashed.
FORTRAN: A computer programming language used to play Star Trek games in the 1970s. It has survived death-blows from Python over the years.
game: An activity engaged in for diversion or amusement. For computer games, it means no sweating.
GitHub: It’s where we will all be uploaded someday.
i7: A CPU for making your Python code run as fast as C code.
IDE: An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. The most popular one right now is Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
import: The import command in Python is the same as the load command in BASIC09. It’s one of the most over-used commands in Python. Python can import code from the future.
integer: An integer is what is more commonly known as a whole number. It may be positive, negative, or the number zero, but it must be whole.
interpreter: All of the best programming languages are interpreted. People get things done quicker when they don’t have to compile. Less interruptions.
log: A log is a file that records events that occur as software runs. Logging is the act of keeping a log. In the simplest case, messages are written to a single logfile.
module: A module is a part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more independently developed modules that are not combined until the program is linked.
no dice: Used to refuse a request or indicate no chance of success.
NPC: A game character that wants to kill a player character.
Pascal: A programming language that Python helped kill.
pip: A package installer for Python. It will install packages from the Interweb (a.k.a. iCloud). It’s the way most people install Python modules uploaded by other people these days.
print(): Always remember to use ( and ) when using a print function. Them’s the rules now.
PyDiceroll: A Python module available from this GitHub repository.
PyQt: The best GUI for Python. It is the Python version of Qt, which is the C version of the GUI.
Python 3.9+: A version of Python, used the-world-over, that PyDiceroll was written for.
rabbit hole: Used to refer to a bizarre, confusing, or nonsensical situation or environment, typically one from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.
random: The lack of pattern or predictability in events. A random sequence of events, symbols or steps has no order and does not follow an intelligible pattern or combination. Individual random events are by definition unpredictable, but in many cases the frequency of different outcomes over a large number of events (or “trials”) is predictable.
RNG: Random number generator. Mostly used as a meme these days. But still has its very practical uses.
RPG: Role-playing games use dice. PyDiceroll makes attempts at rolling the dice for the players and for the NPCs.
Sphinx: The Python software used to publish this much-needed operations manual.
string: A string is a contiguous sequence of symbols or values, such as a character string (a sequence of characters) or a binary digit string (a sequence of binary values).
your own code: Your own code is a Python program that you have already written to make calls to the roll() function.