COMPUTER SCIENCE VOCAB

access levels

The amount of direct access a user is given to data and resources. This could be set to be only a certain sections of a whole collection of data and resources.

accumulator (ACC)

A register that is built into the ALU that stores the result of any interim calculations

acknowledgement

A message that is sent from one device to another to indicate whether data is received correctly

active script

The script that is used to produce any of the interactive elements of a web page

actuator

A mechanical part that causes another device or part to move

address

A memory location in RAM

address bar

the section of a web browser where you type the web page address

address bus

wires used for the transmission of addresses between components in a computer

adware

a software based cyber issue that automatically creates pop up advertisements

analogue

continuous data that can be any value within a range

analogue data

a continuous stream of data that is processed by humans

analysis

the first stage of the program development life cycle that involves investigating the problem

AND operator

returns True when both outputs are True

anti-malware

a type of software that scans a computer or device with the purpose of finding and removing malware

application software

software that allows the user to perform a useful task

architecture

the design of a computer system, including the components it contains

arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

the component in the CPU that performs all the mathematical and logical operations required when processing data and instructions

arithmetic operator

a symbol that performs a mathematical function (eg + adds two values)

array

a data structure where you can store multiple data items, of the same data type, under one identifier

artificial intelligence (AI)

a part of computer science that looks at creating machines that can think and perform tasks a person would usually perform

assembler

converts assembly language into machine code

assembly language

code written in mnemonics that allows direct manipulation of the hardware, it must be converted into binary code to run

assignment

a type of programming statement that stores data in a variable or constant

asymmetric

a type of encryption that uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt data

auto-completion

a feature of an editor that gives the user options when they start typing a command

auto-correction

a feature of an editor that identifies spelling errors and changes them

automated

a device that is operated without human interaction

automated system

a system that is designed to operate without the need for any human intervention

automatic repeat request (ARQ)

a type of error detection method that uses acknowledgement and timeout to see if data has arrived correctly after transmission

automation

the use of automated equipment in a process, e.g. a factory

average

the mean of a set of values or the total divided by the quantity

binary

a base-2 number system that uses the values 0 and 1

biometric device

a device that allows a user to record and input a biometric password

biometric password

a type of password that uses a persons biological data, such as their fingerprint

blockchain

a method that is used to track all the transactions made with a cryptocurrency

bookmark

a link that can be created to allow you to quickly find a web page again

boolean

a data type: True or False

boolean operator

a symbol that joins multiple logical comparisons, can be AND OR or NOT

bootstrap

the first commands loaded when a computer starts, it checks hardware and loads the firmware

1-dimensional array

an array that has only 1 index

2-dimensional array

an array that has two indexes

abnormal test data

data that a program should not accept

bot

the name given to a computer that has had malware downloaded onto it that will cause it to be used in a DDoS attack

botnet

a network of bots that are created to carry out a DDoS attack

boundary test data

data that is on the edge of being accepted, and data that is on the edge of not being accepted

brute-force attack

a type of cyber threat that involves repeatedly inputting a password until the correct one is found, to try to break into an account or device

bubble sort

a sorting algorithm that moves through the list repeatedly swapping values in pairs

cache

a type of storage that is built into the CPU, to store the most frequently used data and instructions

cascading style sheet (CSS)

a scripting language that is used to create a presentation template for a web page, it includes what kind of font and colour text will appear on the web page

CASE statement

a type of selection construct where there is a list of different values to compare a single value against

casting

converting data from one data type to another data type

cell

the intersection of the rows and columns of transistors in solid-state storage

central processing unit (CPU)

a component in a computer system that processes data and instructions

certificate authority

the awarding organisation that checks if another organisation is real and secure before awarding them a digital certificate

char

a single character, eg: ‘A’, ‘1’, ’*’

character set

it contains all the characters that are in that character set and the binary value that is assigned to each character

check digit

a type of error detection method that is sued for data entry - a calculation is performed on the data entered to create a value, values are compared to see if the data entered is correct

checksum

a type of error detection method that performs a calculation

cipher text

the name given to data after transmission

clock speed

the number of fetch-decode-execute cycles that can be performed in a second

cloud storage

data storage that is owned by a third party and accessed by the user, using the internet

coding

the writing of a program using one or more programming languages