子程序 (zǐ chéng xù) — subroutine, subprogram | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

subroutinesubprogram

Examples

。
Zhǔ chéng xù kě yǐ diào yòng duō gè zǐ chéng xù lái wán chéng bù tóng de rèn wu.
The main program can call multiple subroutines to complete different tasks.
，子程序。
Zài dà xíng ruǎn jiàn zhōng, zǐ chéng xù tōng cháng bèi dú lì biān xiě hé cè shì.
In large software, subroutines are usually written and tested independently.
子程序。
Zhè ge zǐ chéng xù de zuò yòng shì jì suàn liǎng gè shù de hé.
The function of this subroutine is to calculate the sum of two numbers.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

子zǐsub/branch

程序program

程chéngprocess/sequence序xùorder

联合Side by side

The '子' sense of 'sub' makes '程序' a smaller branch.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

禾呈程

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hégrain

Sound part声符shēngfú

呈

呈chéng程chéng

Same sound today

程 is made from 禾 (grain) and 呈 (pronounced chéng); the evidence gives measurements.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

广予序

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

予

予yǔ序xù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

序 combines 广 and 予; 予 gives the sound, while 广 marks the meaning.

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