Checkpoint 1: Computer Science

Programming Language

A system used to write instructions a computer can understand

Computational Thinking

A structured approach to solving problems in computer science

Decomposition

Breaking a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts

Pattern Recognition

Identifying similarities or repeated elements in problems

Abstraction

Focusing on important details while ignoring irrelevant ones

Algorithm

A step-by-step method to solve a problem

Input

Data given to a program

Process

Operations or calculations performed on input data

Output

Results produced by the program

IPO Model

Input → Process → Output framework for program design

Flowchart

A diagram representing steps of an algorithm

Oval (Flowchart Symbol)

Represents the start or end of a program

Parallelogram (Flowchart Symbol)

Used for input/output operations

Rectangle (Flowchart Symbol)

Represents a process or calculation

Diamond (Flowchart Symbol)

Represents a decision point (yes/no or true/false)

Basic Program Instructions

Input, assignment, computation, output, decision steps in a program

Trace a Flowchart

Follow each step of a flowchart to see how data moves

Translate Flowchart to Program

Convert flowchart logic into Python code

Data Type

The type of value stored (int, float, string)

Integer (int)

Whole numbers without decimals

Float

Numbers with decimals

String

Text enclosed in quotes

Boolean

True or False values

Variable

A named storage location for data

Expression

A combination of values and operators that produces a result

Printed Representation

What is displayed using print()

Arithmetic Operator

Performs math operations (+, -, *, /)

Relational Operator

Compares values (

Logical Operator

Combines conditions using and, or, not

Numeric vs String Operators

Numbers perform math; strings concatenate (+) or repeat (*)

Function

A reusable block of code that performs a task

Function Call

Using a function in a program

Input/Output Functions

Python functions like input() and print()

Hard Coding

Directly placing values instead of using input; limits flexibility

Comment

Text in code used to explain or clarify

Good Programming Practices

Strategies that avoid errors, improve readability and maintainability

Syntax Error

Error caused by incorrect code structure or grammar

Name Error

Error caused by using an undefined variable or function

Type Error

Error caused by using incompatible data types

Value Error

Error caused by passing an invalid value to a function

Parse Error

Error caused by incorrect syntax during code reading

Debugging

Finding and fixing errors in a program

Verify Solution

Testing programs with different inputs to ensure correctness

Trace Variables

Following variable values step-by-step to check logic

Binary System

Numbers represented using only 1s and 0s

Edge Case

Test inputs that are unusual or extreme

Planning with IPO/Flowcharts

Helps ensure correct programs by designing before coding