Namibia Junior Secondary Computer Science Syllabus (Grades 8 & 9) Vocabulary

Comprehensive practice flashcards defining core terms and concepts from the Junior Secondary Phase Computer Science Syllabus (Grades 8 & 9) published by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), Namibia.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a character encoding standard for electronic communication.

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line; a fast technology used to connect to the Internet.

Algorithm

A precise set of rules specifying how to solve a given problem.

Authentication

Validating the true and legal origin, for example to allow a user access to a computer system.

Biometric Password

The identification of living individuals by using their physiological and behavioural characteristics.

Booting

Starting the initial processes and loading an operating system by either turning on a computer or restarting it.

Bridge

A device that connects a local area network (LAN) to another local area network that uses the same protocol.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A user interface in which commands are typed instead of chosen from a menu or selected via an icon.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface based on graphics such as icons, pictures, and menus, primarily using a mouse as an input device for operating system commands.

Data

Raw material entered into a computer, which may consist of text or numbers.

Information

Data that have been processed by a computer system.

Data Privacy

The right of an individual to decide what personal information can be shared with third parties.

Data Protection

Safeguarding important information from corruption and/or loss.

Disk Defragmentation

Reducing fragmentation of files on a storage device by moving separated parts into a contiguous location.

Disk Partitioning

The logical division of a hard disk so that different operating systems can reside on the same drive, or to organize file management and backups.

Emerging Technologies

Innovations in Computer Science that are still under development and have the potential to significantly change how people live and work.

Firewall

A security system consisting of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or network to attacks from crackers.

Firmware

Coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory.

Gateway

A network node that acts as an entrance to another network and controls traffic between them.

Hub

A convergence point where network data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions.

Switch

A device that channels incoming network data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take it toward its intended destination.

Router

A network device that forwards data packets between different networks.

Modem

An electronic device used to connect computers by modulating and demodulating signals across transmission media.

Netiquette

Internet etiquette, characterized by courtesy and consideration for others while using shared services, social media, and mailing lists.

Network Protocol

A set of rules determining the format and transmission of data within a network or between two networks.

Network Topology

The physical or logical layout and configuration of a communication network, such as star, bus, ring, or mesh.

Node

Any computer or hardware device hooked up to a computer network that is capable of sending or receiving data.

Open Source Software

Software that is developed, tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed so that others may freely share and modify it.

Shareware

Software available free of charge for evaluation purposes, after which a fee may be requested for manuals or additional features.

Public Domain Software

Software that is not protected by copyright laws or restrictions and may be freely copied, modified, shared, and republished by anyone.

Software Piracy

The illegal copying and use of software without payment or authorization from the owner.

Sprite

In Scratch programming, a chosen character or graphical object that reacts to programmed instructions.

Trace Table

A tabular method used to test an algorithm for logical errors with test data, also referred to as a dry run.

Volatile Memory

Temporary computer memory, such as RAM, in which stored data is lost if power is interrupted or not saved to permanent storage.

Non-Volatile Memory

Permanent storage or memory, such as ROM, that retains its stored data even when the computer system is powered off.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol; hardware and software that enable people to make telephone calls using the Internet as the transmission medium.

Formative Continuous Assessment

Any assessment made during the school year to improve learning and help shape and direct the teaching-learning process.

Summative Assessment

An assessment made at the end of the school year based on the accumulated total of learner progress throughout the year, yielding an end-of-year promotion grade.

Computer

An electronic device for processing data and performing calculations; it follows instructions (programs) to perform sequences of mathematical and logical operations, after which it returns processed information, and may also store information.

Data

Also called raw material; in computing terms, anything that is entered into the computer, such as text or numbers.

Information

Data that have been processed.

Hardware

The mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system.

Software

Computer programs, written as a series of instructions, procedures, and rules, stored in memory.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a character encoding standard for electronic communication.

Booting

To start the initial processes and load an operating system by either starting up a computer or restarting it.

Firmware

Coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A user interface in which you type commands instead of choosing them from a menu or selecting an icon.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface based on graphics (icons, pictures, and menus) instead of text; primarily uses a mouse as an input device for OS-related commands.

Menu-Driven Interface

An interface where the user interacts with the computer by selecting various options from a list of choices.

Volatile Memory

Non-permanent memory; data stored in volatile memory (RAM) is lost if not saved to permanent storage.

Non-Volatile Memory

Permanent memory referring to ROM or any other permanent storage that retains data when power is turned off.

Desktop Publishing

The use of computers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials.

Digitiser

A device for converting analogue signals into digital signals.

Disk Defragmentation

To reduce fragmentation of files on a storage device by moving separated parts into a contiguous location.

Disk Partitioning

The logical division of a hard disk so that different operating systems can reside on the same hard disk, or to create the appearance of separate hard drives for file management, multiple users, or backup.

Emerging Technologies

Innovations in Computer Science that are still under development and have the potential to significantly change the way we live and work.

Firewall

A security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attacks from crackers; commonly used on local area networks connected to the Internet.

Flow Chart

A diagram of the sequence of operations in an algorithm.

Freeware

Software that is provided without charge.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol; a protocol that allows users to move files between their local system and any system they can reach on the network.

Gateway

A network node that acts as an entrance to another network and controls traffic between networks.

Hacking

Obtaining unauthorised access to a computer or network.

Hub

A place of convergence where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions; can include a switch and a router.

Hyperlink

A hypertext link to another location or file; activated by clicking on a highlighted, coloured, or underlined word or icon.

Internet

A worldwide network of computer networks that use TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange.

Modem

An electronic device (named from MOdulate and DEModulate) used to connect computers historically by means of a telephone line, or via other analogue signals such as light emitting diodes or radio waves.

Netiquette

Internet etiquette; showing courtesy and consideration for others while using shared services, social media, mailing lists, and related platforms.

Network Protocol

Rules determining the format and transmission of data within a network or between two networks.

Network Topology

The configuration of a communication network, structured around four primary principles: star, bus, ring, and hierarchy.

Node

Any computer or hardware device hooked up to a computer network that can send or receive data, such as a server, printer, or hub.

Open Source Software

Software that is developed, tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed with the idea that it should be shared with others for continuous development.

Public Domain Software

Content that is not protected by any copyright law or other restriction and may be freely copied, shared, altered, and republished by anyone.

Router

A device that forwards data packets between networks.

Search Engine

A computer program that retrieves documents, files, or data from a database or from a computer network, especially from the Internet.

Server

A computer that provides client nodes with access to files and shared hardware resources on a computer network.

Shareware

Software available free of charge that may be distributed for evaluation, with a fee requested for additional features or a manual.

Software Piracy

The illegal copying and using of software without payment or permission from the owner.

Sprite

In Scratch programming, a chosen character that reacts to programmed instructions.

Switch

A device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take the data toward its intended destination.

Trace Table

A method of testing an algorithm for logical errors, also known as a dry run.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator; the address of a web page on the World Wide Web.

USB

Universal Serial Bus; a standard way of attaching peripheral devices to a computer using narrow, rectangular ports and connectors.

Utilities

Programs designed for the general support of the processes of a computer.

Validation

Testing whether data complies with specified rules.

Variable

In programming, a named value or piece of data that is likely to change.

Constant

In programming, a value or any other piece of data that does not change.

Verification

In computing, proof that data input is correct.

Virus

A software program capable of reproducing itself and causing harm to files or other programs on the same computer, which cannot spread to another computer without human assistance.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol; the hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as a transmission medium for telephone calls.

Workstation

A desktop computer that is conventionally considered to be more powerful than a microcomputer.

World Wide Web (WWW)

A collection of Internet sites that offer text, graphics, sound, and animation resources using the hypertext transfer protocol; part of the Internet.

Data Privacy

The right of an individual to decide what personal information can be shared with third parties.

Data Protection

Safeguarding important information from corruption and/or loss.

Data Encryption

Converting data or information into code for security purposes.

Biometric Password

The identification of living individuals by using their physiological and behavioural characteristics.

Algorithm

A precise set of rules specifying how to solve a given problem.

Pseudo Code

Statements outlining the operation of a computer program, written in a form similar to computer language but in a more understandable format.

Bridge

A device that connects a local area network (LAN) to another local area network that uses the same protocol.

Computer

An electronic device for processing data and performing calculations; it follows instructions (programs) to perform sequences of mathematical and logical operations, returns processed information, and may store information.

Hardware

The mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system.