Is there a term to describe all non-root nodes in a tree?

Question

Root covers the root, what are the rest of the nodes collectively called?

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 22 '15 at 10:25

I had the same problem -- I was creating a base class for all non-root nodes and was looking for a succinct name. Here's what I came up with (and I realize none of these is perfect):

NonRootNode -- this is a bit clumsy, but certainly descriptive
ChildNode -- short, but potentially misleading
ParentedNode -- I like this one
NestedNode -- might work depending on the context

Axel Fontaine · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-16T14:07:45.970

3

Just like in the real world: branches and leaves

They are all child nodes (of the root or some other node).

edited Jan 16 '11 at 14:07

answered Jan 16 '11 at 13:03

Axel Fontaine

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i'm looking for a term that would encompass both branches and leaves. I'm hoping there is something better than 'non-root node'. – glenn Jan 16 '11 at 13:51
well all non-root nodes are child nodes – Axel Fontaine Jan 16 '11 at 14:06

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 16 '11 at 13:05

2

In the middle they're called branches. On the very ends, they're leaves.

answered Jan 16 '11 at 13:05

Dave

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 16 '11 at 13:07

1

R is root, B are branches L are leaves

answered Jan 16 '11 at 13:07

qwertymk

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is there a term that covers branches and leaves but excludes the root? in other words, any node that's not a root. – glenn Jan 16 '11 at 13:49
@glenn l. Yes they're called children – qwertymk Jan 16 '11 at 23:20

Is there a term to describe all non-root nodes in a tree?

4 Answers4