L

label::A unique name followed by a colon. Labels are used to denote statements to which a goto statement can branch. See “case label.”

library::A file containing compiled modules. The linker extracts modules from the library file and combines them with the user-created object file to form an executable program.

lifetime::The time, during program execution, that a variable or function exists. An “automatic” variable has storage and a defined value only in the block where it is defined or declared. A “static” variable exists for the duration of the program.

line style::An unsigned short integer (16 bits) that specifies the pattern with which lines will be drawn. Each bit specifies whether a corresponding pixel in the line will be displayed. The default line style is a solid line.

local::See “visibility.”

long integer::A whole number represented inside the machine as a 32-bit two's-complement binary number. A signed long integer has a range of –2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. An unsigned long integer has a range of 0 to 4,294,967,295. See “integer.”

low-level input and output routines::Run-time library routines that perform unbuffered, unformatted I/O operations, for example, creat, read, write, and lseek.

lvalue::An expression (such as a variable name) that refers to a memory location and is required as the left-hand operand of an assignment operation, or as the single operand of a unary operator.