captured variable

noun

UK /ˈkæptʃəd ˈveəriəbl/

US /ˈkæptʃərd ˈveriəbl/

A captured variable is a variable that a small piece of code keeps a copy of so it can use it later.

The inner function remembered the count because it was a captured variable.

SYNONYMS

closed-over variable bound variable enclosed variable free variable

RELATED WORDS

closure scope lambda callback outer variable

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In programming, a variable from an outer function that an inner function uses and keeps alive.

Each loop created a new captured variable, so the buttons showed different numbers.

3. A value that is saved by a function when the function is created, not when it runs.

The captured variable held the old value even after the outer code changed it.

4. A variable that a nested block borrows from the code around it.

The event handler used a captured variable to know which item was clicked.