Which term describes the descriptor used to alter the meaning of base types, such as signed or unsigned integers?

• A. Input/Output Symbol
• B. Decision Symbol
• C. Processing Symbol
• D. Method Modifier

Answer: (D)

Think about how signed or unsigned qualifiers change what a base type means. These qualifiers tell the system how to interpret the bits of an integer, effectively changing its range and behavior. That idea—attaching something to a base type to modify its meaning or interpretation—is captured by the term modifier. Among the options, the one that fits this concept best uses the idea of a modifier to indicate a change in how a type is understood. The other choices refer to flowchart symbols (input/output, decision, processing) and don’t affect data type interpretation. So the descriptor that alters the meaning of base types is described as a modifier.