Word for "settings"

Question

Context (example): In windows explorer in "Folder Options" there is a section called "Advanced Settings" where "settings" is a set of pairs (name : value), e.g.

"Do not cache thumbnails" : On
"Hidden files and folders" : "Do not show hidden files and folders"

What is a correct name for each of those pairs?
Is it "setting"?

Questions:

1. What definition of word setting is being used in the name of "Advanced Settings" section? (please provide a reference to a dictionary)
2. Are setting, parameter, property interchangeable and mean same thing (please provide a reference to a dictionary)
3. What other terms are there available for the same concept?

Answer 1

How about "Option" and "Preference"? Where "Option" is the thing to be decided, and "Preference" is the choice the user has made.

Answer 2

Setting.

A single item in a list of settings is a setting.

setting [set-ing] (n):

1. the surroundings or environment of anything
2. the manner, position, or direction in which something is set

I guess config/configuration could be used interchangeably.

Answer 3

1. Setting: "one of the positions or levels to which the controls of a machine can be adjusted"
2. See: thefreedictionary.com
3. See the link above under "thesaurus."

I really don't see what any of this has to do with programming, OOP, or design. Are you trying to decide what to name a configuration class? If so, just pick any of the listed synonyms and move on. I don't think it's worth this much analysis.

Answer 4

setting: definition from wiktionary:

(#3): A standard level or placement that a knob or control is placed at, for example, the volume setting on a television

parameter: definitions from wiktionary:

(#2): (programming) A name in a function or subroutine definition that is replaced by, or bound to, the corresponding actual argument when the function or subroutine is called

(#3): A characteristic or feature that distinguishes something from others

configuration: definition from wiktionary:

(#3): The way things are arranged or put together in order to achieve a result

property: definitions from wiktionary:

(#5): An attribute or abstract quality associated with an individual, object or concept

(#7): (computing) An editable or read-only parameter associated with an application, component or class, or the value of such a parameter

In the IE example you gave, I would suggest that each entry in that list does describe a single setting. It gives the name of a control or parameter (such as "Do not cache thumbnails"), and then allows the user to specify the value of that parameter (setting the position of the knob, as it were). Together, this list of settings becomes a configuration.

The name of each paramter could be considered a property of IE, but I wouldn't put too much weight on that analogy. In that vein of thinking, every single variable in a program can be considered a property of that program.