Descriptor: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in technical or formal contexts to describe labels or properties, often related to computing or data.

• The file descriptor is not valid.
• The descriptor for the product was missing a crucial feature.

Used in general grammar to describe words that modify nouns, expressing attributes or properties.

• 'Happy' is an adjective used to describe feelings.
• In the sentence 'The big dog', 'big' is the adjective.

Commonly used in both grammar and general contexts to describe words or phrases that limit or enhance the meaning of another word. Often used to add precision or detail.

• In the sentence 'She is somewhat tired', 'somewhat' is a qualifier.
• Qualifiers help in making statements more accurate.

Often used in grammar and writing to describe words that change or limit the meaning of another word, and can refer to both adjectives and adverbs.

• In the phrase 'very quickly', 'very' is a modifier.
• Modifiers can add more detail to sentences.

Use when referring to a piece of information that describes data or an object, often in technical or computing contexts.

• The file descriptor helps the operating system manage open files.
• In database management, a descriptor holds metadata about data elements.

Typically used in programming languages like Java and Python to represent a variable that refers to another variable or object without using its address directly.

• In Java, you pass an object reference to the method.
• The reference points to the original object in memory, not a copy.

Commonly used in programming, particularly in languages like C or C++, to describe a variable that stores the memory address of another variable.

• A null pointer points to no object or function.
• The program uses a pointer to access the array elements quickly.

Appropriate for discussions about programming or computer interfaces, indicating an identifier or a way to interact with an object.

• Pass the file handle to the function to read its content.
• The window's handle allows the program to manipulate it directly.