Computer Science Vocab

algorithm

A step-by-step set of instructions for solving a problem.

append

To add something to the end of a list.

argument

the actual value you pass in

parameter

the variable in the function definition

assign

To give a variable a value.

block

A group of lines that belong together (usually indented)

body

The actual code inside the function.

boolean value

a data type that is either true or false.

boolean/logical operator

operator such as AND, OR, NOT which performs a Boolean operation on some inputs

bounded (loop)

A loop that runs a limited number of times.

break

Immediately stop a loop early.

bug

A mistake in your program.

comment out

To temporarily disable code using

comment

A note in your code that Python ignores.

concatenate

To join things together (usually strings).

condition

A statement that evaluates to True or False.

copy (mutable object)

A separate version of something that won't affect the original

data definition

A description of what kind of data a function expects.

De Morgan's Law

Rules for switching not with and / or.

docstring

A string at the top of a function explaining what it does.

empty

Contains nothing.

escape sequence

Special characters in strings.

floating point number

A number with decimals.

function call

When you run a function.

whitespace

Spaces, tabs, and line breaks

words that imply modifying

modify, change, add, append, remove → change the original

words that imply NOT modifying

copy, version, new, filter → usually return a new object

variable

A name that stores a value.

variable assignment

Giving a variable a value.

value

The actual data (like 5, "hello", True).

value error

Correct type, wrong value.

type error

Using the wrong type.

type / datatype

The category of a value (int, str, list, etc.).

tuple

An ordered, immutable collection.

take (as a verb)

Means the function receives an argument

syntax error

Python grammar mistake.

slice assignment (list)

Replacing part of a list.

slice

A portion of a sequence.

side effect

Something the function does besides returning a value.

signature (function)

The function name + parameters

sequence type

An ordered collection

semantic error

The code runs, but gives the wrong result.

function definition

Where you create the function.

function

A reusable block of code that does something.

gate (logic gate)

In logic circuits, a device that performs AND, OR, NOT operations.

given

Means "when provided with".

global variable

A variable defined outside functions.

header (function definition)

The first line of a function:

helper function

A smaller function used inside another function.

immutable types

Cannot be changed after creation.

impure function

A function that has side effects (like printing or modifying globals).

index

The position of an item in a sequence.

integer

Whole number.

item assignment (list)

Changing one element in a list.

iterable type

Something you can loop over.

keyword

A reserved Python word.

list

An ordered, mutable collection.

local variable

A variable created inside a function.

runtime error

An error that happens while the program is running

return value/result

The value that comes back from a function.

return (verb)

To send a value back from a function.

purpose statement

A sentence explaining what a function does

pure function

A function that:

Does not modify outside data

Only returns a value

program/script

A complete Python file that runs.

operator

A symbol that performs an operation.

numeric type

A number type (int, float).

nested loops

A loop inside another loop.

nest

To put one structure inside another.

mutable types

Can be changed after creation.

method

A function that belongs to an object.

loop

Code that repeats.

logic

Reasoning using True/False values.