primitively

adv 1: with reference to the origin or beginning [syn: {originally},

{in the beginning}]

2: in a primitive style or manner; "rather primitively operated

foundries"

primitive

A {function}, {operator}, or {type} which is

built into a programming language (or {operating system}),

either for speed of execution or because it would be

impossible to write it in the language. Primitives typically

include the arithmetic and logical operations (plus, minus,

and, or, etc.) and are implemented by a small number of

{machine language} instructions.

(1995-05-01)