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exploring computer science
vocabulary
107
Computer Science
10th Grade
08/31/2017

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Cards

Term
Prototype
Definition

A preliminary sketch of an idea or model for something new. It’s the original drawing from which something real might be built or created.

Term

Binary Question

Definition

a question to which there are only two possible answers

Term

Binary Message

Definition

a message that can only be one of two possible values

Term

Bit

Definition

A contraction of "Binary Digit". A bit is the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

Term

Bit rate

Definition
(sometimes written bit rate) the number of bits that are conveyed or processed per unit of time. e.g. 8 bits/sec
Term

Protocol

Definition
A set of rules and standards governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.
Term

Bandwidth

Definition

Transmission capacity measure by bit rate

Term

Latency

Definition
Time it takes for a bit to travel from its sender to its receiver.
Term

ASCII

Definition
ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is the universally recognized raw text format that any computer can understand.
Term

code  (v)

Definition
to write code, or to write instructions for a computer.
Term

(RFC)

Definition
A formal document from the Internet Engineering Task Force ( IETF ) that is the result of committee drafting and subsequent review by interested parties. Some RFCs are informational in nature, documents are how standards and protocols are defined and published for all to see on the IETF website
Term

IP Address

Definition
A number assigned to any item that is connected to the Internet.
Term

Packets

Definition
Small chunks of information that have been carefully formed from larger chunks of information
Term

Router

Definition
a computer, device which receives messages travelling across a network and redirects them towards their intended destinations based on the addressing information included with the message.
Term

TCP

Definition
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. It manages all the sending and receiving of Data Packets, like a dependable mail service
Term

DNS

Definition
Domain Name Server, System: the Internet's system for converting alphabetic url names into numeric IP addresses.
Term

HTTP

Definition
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the protocol used by the World Wide Web. It describes how messages are formatted and interchanged, and how web servers respond to commands
Term

Abstraction

Definition
Reducing information and detail to focus on essential characteristics
Term

Server

Definition
A computer that awaits and responds to requests for data
Term

Client

Definition
A computer that requests data stored on a server
Term

Net Neutrality

Definition
The principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by Internet Service Providers
Term

Internet Censorship

Definition
Internet censorship is the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the Internet enacted by regulators, or on their own initiative. ... Other areas of censorship include copyrights, defamation, harassment, and obscene material. Support for and opposition to Internet censorship also varies
Term

Network Surveillance

Definition
computer and network surveillance is the monitoring of computer activity and data stored on a hard drive, or data being transferred over computer networks such as the Internet. The monitoring is often carried out covertly and may be completed by governments, corporations, criminal organizations, or individuals
Term

Heuristic

Definition
a problem solving approach (algorithm) to find a satisfactory solution where finding an optimal or exact solution is impractical or impossible
Term

Image

Definition
A type of data used for graphics or pictures
Term

Metadata

Definition
Data that describes other data.
For example, a digital image may include metadata that describe the size of the image, number of colors, or resolution
Term

Pixel

Definition
Short for "picture element" it is the fundamental unit of a digital image, typically a tiny square or dot which contains a single point of color of a larger image
Term

Hexadecimal Number System

Definition
A Base 16 numbering system. A number system consisting of 16 distinct symbols — 0-9 and A-F — which can occur in each place value
Term

Lossless Compression

Definition
A compression scheme in which every bit of the original data can be recovered from the compressed file
Term

Lossy Compression

Definition
A compression scheme in which “useless” or less-than-totally-necessary information is thrown out in order to reduce the size of the data. The eliminated data is unrecoverable
Term

Abstraction

Definition
Removing unnecessary details to focus on the essential characteristics. To break problems up into separate parts which can then be solved separately and recombined to form a complete solution. To focus on and use something based only on what it does and without concern for how that functionality is accomplished
Term

Hypothesis:

Definition

A proposed explanation for some phenomenon used as the basis for further investigation

Term

README

Definition
A document providing background information about a dataset
Term

CSV

Definition
Abbreviation of "comma-separated values," this is a widely-used format for storing data
Term

Raw data

Definition
The original data as it was collected
Term

Summary table

Definition
A table of aggregate information about a dataset (e.g., the average, sum, count of some values)
Term

Summary Table

Definition
A table that summarizes information about some larger dataset. It typically consists of performing computations like sums, averages, and counts on higher level groupings of information. The intent is to summarize lots of data into a form that is more useful, and easier to "see".
Pivot Table: The tool used by most spreadsheet programs to create a summary table
Term

Aggregation

Definition
A computation in which rows from a data set are grouped together and used to compute a single value of more significant meaning or measurement. Common aggregations include: Average, Count, Sum, Max, Median, etc.
For example, if some dataset contained information about how many hours of television people watched and included their age, you could "aggregate the data by age" and compute the average hours watched for each age group. You could also "aggregate by hours of TV watched" and compute the average age for each number of hours
Term

Algorithm:
Low level programming language:

Definition
A precise sequence of instructions for processes that can be executed by a computer and are implemented using programming languages. (NOTE: this is the definition from the AP CS Principles framework).



It deals with the computer’s hardware. A programming language that captures only the most primitive operations available to a machine. Anything that a computer can do can be represented with combinations of low level commands.
Examples: Machine Language, Assembly Language
Term

High level programming language

Definition
A programming language with many commands and features designed to make common tasks easier to program. Any high level functionality is encapsulated as combinations of low level commands.
Ex. C, C++, Fortran, Pascal, Swift, BASIC, Visual Basic,
Term

Iterate

Definition
To repeat in order to achieve, or get closer to, a desired goal
Term

Selection

Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements
Term

Sequencing

Definition
Putting commands in correct order so computers can read the commands
Term

Turtle Programming

Definition
a classic method for learning programming with commands to control movement and drawing of an on-screen robot called a "turtle". The turtle hearkens back to early implementations in which children programmed a physical robot whose dome-like shape was reminiscent of a turtle
Term

Abstraction

Definition
Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems
Term

Function

Definition
A piece of code that you can easily call over and over again.
F(x) function (x)
Ex. The ellipse function and its parameters:
ellipse (200, 300, 350, 275
Term

Parameter

Definition
An extra piece of information that you pass to the function to customize it for a specific need
Term

Top Down Design

Definition
a problem-solving approach (also known as stepwise design) in which you break down a system to gain insight into the sub-systems that make it up
Term

API

Definition
Application Program Interface. A collection of commands, protocols, tools,  made available to a programmer to develop software
Term

Documentation

Definition
a description of the behavior of a command, function, library, API, etc
Term

Hexadecimal

Definition
A base-16 number system that uses sixteen distinct symbols 0-9 and A-F to represent numbers from 0 to 15
Term

Library

Definition
a collection of commands / functions, typically with a shared purpose
Term

Loop

Definition
a programming construct that repeats a group of commands
Term

Iteration

Definition
"loop" by another name - the repetition of a statement, process, or procedure
Term

For Loop

Definition
A particular kind of looping construct provided in many languages. Typically, a for loop defines a counting variable that is checked and incremented on each iteration in order to loop a specific number of times
Term

Abstraction

Definition
Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems
Term

Moore's Law

Definition
Gordon Moore, in 1965, had the observation that computing power roughly doubles every two years
Term

Big Data

Definition
a broad term for datasets so large or complex that traditional idata processing applications are inadequate.
EX. Facebook, Amazon, Google Search
Term

One-pager

Definition
A business/corporate term for a one-page document that summarizes a large issue, topic or plan. The purpose is to distill and highlight the most important pieces of information in a digestible manner so that the reader can be quickly acquainted with the relevant details of the "big picture."
Term

Encryption

Definition
A process of encoding messages to keep them secret, so only “authorized” parties can read it
Term

Decryption

Definition
A process that reverses encryption, taking a secret message and reproducing the original plain text.
Term

Cipher

Definition
An algorithm that performs encryption or decryption. In cryptography, a cipher (or cypher) is an algorithm for performing encryption or decryption—a series of well-defined steps that can be followed as a procedure. An alternative, less common term is encipherment. ... When using a cipher the original information is known as plaintext, and the encrypted form as ciphertext
Term

Caesar’s Cipher

Definition
A technique for encryption that shifts the alphabet by some number of characters
Term

Random Substitution Cipher

Definition
An encryption technique that maps each letter of the alphabet to randomly chosen other letters of the alphabet
Term

Cracking Encryption

Definition
When you attempt to decode a secret message without knowing all the specifics of the cipher, you are trying to “crack” the encryption
Term

Vigenère cipher (Vee-zha-nair)

Definition
a method of encrypting text by applying a series of Caesar ciphers based on the letters of a keyword
Term

Computationally Hard

Definition
a "hard' problem for a computer is one in which it cannot arrive at a solution in a reasonable amount of time
Term

Modulo or MOD

Definition
A mathematical operation that returns the remainder after integer division. Example: 7 MOD 4 = 3
Term

Asymmetric Encryption

Definition
Used in public key encryption, it is a  scheme in which the key to encrypt data is different from the key to decrypt
Term

Public Key (encryption)

Definition
Used prevalently on the web, it allows for secure messages to be sent between parties without having to agree on, or share, a secret key. It uses an asymmetric encryption scheme in which the encryption key is made public, but the decryption key is kept private
Term

Private Key

Definition
Public key encryption is the basis for most secure transactions on the internet. A public key is created in public key encryption cryptography that uses asymmetric-key encryption algorithms. Public keys are used to convert a message into an unreadable format. Decryption is carried out using a different, but matching, private key. Public and private keys are paired to enable secure communication
Term

Phishing scam

Definition
A scam. The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft
Term

DDoS Attack

Definition
Distributed Denial of Service. When many computers attack a computer to overload it and it stops responding
Term

Virus / Anti-Virus

Definition
Virus: a piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data
Term

Firewall

Definition
Firewall is a generic term to describe 'a barrier against destruction'.  It comes from the building term of a protective wall to prevent the spreading of house fires or engine compartment fires.  In the case of computing, 'firewall' means to have software and/or hardware protecting you from hackers and viruses
Term

SSL / TLS  (associated with HTTPS

Definition
Transport Layer Security (TLS) and its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), both frequently referred to as "SSL", are cryptographic protocols that provide communications security over a computer network.
Term

User Interface (UI)

Definition
The "User Interface" or UI of an app refers to how a person (user) interacts with the computer or app
Term

Event

Definition
An action that causes something to happen.
Ex. Clicking mouse.
Ex. Pressing a key
Term

Event-driven program

Definition
a program designed to run blocks of code or functions in response to specified events
Term

Event handling

Definition
an overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making your app respond to events by triggering functions
Term

Debugging

Definition
Finding and fixing problems in your algorithm or program
Term

User Interfac

Definition
The visual elements of an program through which a user controls or communications the application. Often abbreviated UI
Term

Event-Driven Program

Definition
A program designed to run blocks of code or functions in response to specified events (e.g. a mouse clock
Term

Event Handling

Definition
An  overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions
Term

Variable

Definition
In JavaScript (and most programming languages) the most primitive type of memory you can use is called a variable. It's called a variable because it's a piece of memory in which you can change what's stored - its value can vary.
Term

Expression

Definition
Any valid unit of code that resolves to a single value. (Variables can be assigned values that are the result of an expression.)
Term

Data Type

Definition
All values in a programming language have a "type" - such as a Number, Boolean, or String - that dictates how the computer will interpret it. For example 7+5 is interpreted differently from "7"+"5"
Term

Variable Scope

Definition
dictates what portions of the code can "see" or use a variable, typically derived from where the variable was first created. (See Global v. Local)
Term

String

Definition
Any sequence of characters between quotation marks (ex: "hello", "42", "this is a string!")
Term

Concatenate

Definition
to link together or join. Typically used when joining together text Strings in
Term

if Statement

Definition
The common programming structure that implements "conditional statements"
Term

Conditionals

Definition
Another term for if statements -- statements that only run under certain conditions
Term

Selection

Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements
Term

Boolean

Definition
A single value of either TRUE or FALSE
Term

Boolean Expression

Definition
in programming, an expression that evaluates to True or False
Term

Conditionals

Definition
Statements that only run under certain conditions
Term

if-Statement

Definition
The common programming structure that implements "conditional statements"
Term

Selection

Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Term

while loop

Definition
a programming construct used to repeat a set of commands while a boolean condition is true
Term

Models and Simulations

Definition
a program which replicates or mimics key features of a real world event in order to investigate its behavior without the cost, time, or danger of running an experiment in real life.
Term

List

Definition
A generic term for a programming data structure that holds multiple items
Term

Array

Definition
A data structure in JavaScript used to represent a list
Term

Key event

Definition
an event triggered by pressing or releasing a key on the keyboard.
Term

for loop

Definition
A typical looping construct designed to make it easy to repeat a section of code using a counter variable. The for loop combines the creation of a variable, a boolean looping condition, and an update to the variable in one statement
Term

return:

Definition

a command used to end execution of a function and resume execution at the point where the function was called

Term

Return Value

Definition
A value sent back by a function to the place in the code where the function was called form - typically asking for value (e.g. getText(id)) or the result of a calculation or computation of some kind. Most programming languages have many built-in functions that return values, but you can also write your own
Term

Canvas

Definition
a user interface element which acts as a digital canvas, allowing the programmatic drawing and manipulation of geometric figures and images
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