Swap (computer Science)
In computer programming, the act of swapping two variables refers to mutually exchanging the values of the variables. Usually, this is done with the data in memory. For example, in a program, two variables may be defined thus (in pseudocode):
data_item x := 1 data_item y := 0To swap them one might do
swap (x, y);(In many programming languages where the swap function is built-in; in C++, overloads are provided allowing std::swap to swap some large structures in O(1) time.) After swap is performed, x will contain the value 0 and y will contain 1; their values have been exchanged. Of course, this operation may be generalized to other types of values, such as strings, aggregated data types and possibly entire containers.
Read more about Swap (computer Science): Swap Methods
Famous quotes containing the word swap:
“If we should swap a good library for a second-rate stump speech and not ask for boot, it would be thoroughly in tune with our hearts. For deep within each of us lies politics. It is our football, baseball, and tennis rolled into one. We enjoy it; we will hitch up and drive for miles in order to hear and applaud the vitriolic phrases of a candidate we have already reckoned we’ll vote against.”
—Federal Writers’ Project Of The Wor, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)