invariant section

English

Alternative forms

• (programming) INVARIANT section

Etymology

• (law): Coined by Free Software Foundation in free software copyright licenses.

Noun

invariant section (plural invariant sections)

1. (law) Something that must not be removed or modified during redistribution.

   I had to include the GNU Manifesto, as it was part of an invariant section.

2. (mathematics) A section that will not vary through changing state.
3. (programming) A property that does not change through a program's execution.

Usage notes

• (mathematics): Often used in the form X-invariant section, implying a section that remains constant while X is being changed.

Further reading

• Text of the GNU Free Documentation License possibly first legal use.