CMSC Chapter 1 Terms Pearson C

Programming

The process of creating instructions for computers to perform tasks and solve problems.

Hardware

Physical components of a computer system

Programming Languages

Languages used to write instructions that computers can understand and execute.

Code

Set of instructions written in a programming language.

Logic

Sequence and conditions that determine how a program behaves.

Input

Data received by a program for processing.

Processing

Manipulation of input data to produce output.

Output

Result produced by a program after processing input.

Loops

Constructs used to repeat a sequence of instructions in a program.

Functions

Blocks of code designed to perform specific tasks within a program.

Programmable

Ability of computers to perform various tasks based on given instructions.

Program

A set of instructions that guides a computer to perform specific tasks.

Software

Programs that enable computers to perform tasks.

User Interface

The part of a program that interacts with the user.

Debugging

The process of identifying and fixing errors in a program.

Logical Flow

The sequence of instructions in a program that determines its operation.

Efficiency

The ability of a program to perform tasks using minimal resources.

Hardware

Physical components of a computer system.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The brain of the computer

Main Memory

Workspace where active data and programs reside.

Secondary Storage

Long-term storage for data and programs.

Input Devices

Tools for feeding data into the computer.

Output Devices

Channels for presenting data to the user.

Control Unit

Directs the flow of instructions in the CPU.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Performs calculations and logical operations.

Random-Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile memory for quick data access.

Bytes

Units of data storage in memory.

Bits

Smallest unit of data

Address

Unique identifier for data location in memory.

System Software

Manages core functions of the computer.

Operating Systems

Programs controlling hardware operations.

Application Software

Software for everyday tasks like word processing.

Algorithm

A series of steps that a computer can follow to perform a task.

Machine Language

A series of binary numbers (1s and 0s) that computers understand.

Low-Level Language

Languages resembling numeric machine language

High-Level Language

Languages closer to human language

Source Code

The original code written by a programmer using a text editor.

Preprocessing

The step where the preprocessor scans and modifies the source code.

Compilation

The process of translating preprocessed code into machine language.

Object File

The result of compilation

Linking

Combining object files with library routines to create an executable file.

Executable File

A file containing machine language instructions ready to run on a computer.

Portability

The ability of a program to run on different systems with minimal changes.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A software suite combining a text editor

Key Words

Reserved words with predefined meanings in programming languages.

Programmer-Defined Identifiers

Custom names for variables or routines created by the programmer.

Operators

Symbols that perform operations on data

Punctuation

Marks used to structure code

Syntax

Rules that define the structure and composition of valid statements in a programming language.

Statements

Complete instructions in code that tell the computer to perform actions.

Variables

Named storage locations in memory that hold data which can change during program execution.

Variable Definitions

Specifications that create variables in memory and define the type of data they will hold.

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Data

Information processed or stored by a computer.

File

A collection of data stored in one unit

Operations

Actions performed by a program to process data.

Programming Process

A series of steps guiding from idea to program execution

Program Design

The blueprint of a program

Hierarchy Chart

A tool used to represent the structure of a program

Flowchart

A diagram that represents the flow of data and the sequence of operations in a program.

Software Engineering

The discipline of designing

Procedural Programming

A programming paradigm based on structured steps and procedures to perform tasks.

Object-Oriented Programming

A programming paradigm organized around objects containing data and methods.

Object

A self-contained unit in OOP that holds data and methods.

Method

A function associated with an object in OOP.

Message

A communication sent to an object to invoke a method.