invariant section

Alternative forms

 * INVARIANT section

Etymology

 * Coined by Free Software Foundation in free software copyright licenses.

Noun

 * 1)  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.
 * 1)  A section that will not vary through changing state.
 * 2)  A property that does not change through a program's execution.

Usage notes

 * Often used in the form X-invariant section, implying a section that remains constant while X is being changed.