Please help me understand the meaning of this sentence

[Manabu]

Hello everyone,

The following is an extract from a server manual.

A % (percent character) prefix designates the value of a non-static class instantiation, parameter, or return specification as not containing nor exposing sensitive information. If this prefix character is not explicitly used, an asterisk string is substituted for the value that is returned.

I am not clear on the meaning of the first sentence above.
To be more specific, I do not understand the following.

a) The meaning of "designates the value of..."
Can this be replaced with "denote"?

b) The scope of "the value of"
Does "the value of " modify all of the following three items?

a non-static class instantiation
parameter
return spacification

or it just modifies "a non-static class installation"?

c) The grammatical function of "as" in "as not containig..."
This "as" means "because"?
Does this mean the following?

because the value of a non-static class instantiation, parameter, or return specification do not contain nor expose sensitive information

Any help much appreciated.

Thank you.

Manabu, from Japan.

[Raymott]

Hello everyone,

The following is an extract from a server manual.

A % (percent character) prefix designates the value of a non-static class instantiation, parameter, or return specification as not containing nor exposing sensitive information. If this prefix character is not explicitly used, an asterisk string is substituted for the value that is returned.

This means that if you want to see the returned value, you must put a % before the variable in the program. If you don't use the %, the program assumes that the return value is 'sensitive' (private or classified), and will only print a string of asterisks (similar to how a password is returned to the screen).

I am not clear on the meaning of the first sentence above.
To be more specific, I do not understand the following.

a) The meaning of "designates the value of..."
Can this be replaced with "denote"?
Yes.


b) The scope of "the value of"
Does "the value of " modify all of the following three items?

a non-static class instantiation
parameter
return spacification
Yes.

or it just modifies "a non-static class installation"?
No, all three.

c) The grammatical function of "as" in "as not containig..."
This "as" means "because"? No
Does this mean the following?

because the value of a non-static class instantiation, parameter, or return specification do not contain nor expose sensitive information
No. If % designates a return value as not containing sensitive information, it means % signifies that a return value does not contain sensitive information.

If I refer to Mary as not being fat, I am stating that Mary is not fat.
If I designate Mary as not being male, I am stating that she female.

If you're still unsure, maybe you could tell us what computer language this is in?

[Manabu]

Now I'm clear!
You really helped me, Raymott-san.
I appreciate it.

Manabu, from Japan.