Big Idea 3

Algorithm

A set of steps to solve a problem or complete a task.

API

A set of tools that lets programs interact with each other.

Argument

A value passed into a function or procedure.

Arithmetic operators

Symbols for math operations like +, −, ×, ÷.

Assignment statement

Sets or updates the value of a variable.

Binary search

A fast search by repeatedly dividing a sorted list in half.

Boolean values

True or false values used in logic.

Clarity

How easy code is to read and understand.

Code statement

A single line or command in a program.

Concatenation

Joining strings or lists together.

Condition

A statement that is either true or false.

Data abstraction

Simplifying complex data by hiding details.

Decidable problem

A problem that can always be solved with an algorithm.

Decision problem

A question with a yes/no answer.

Efficiency

How well a program uses time and resources.

Element

A single item in a list or array.

Expression

A combination of values and operators that returns a result.

Heuristic

An approach to find a good solution quickly when exact methods are too slow.

Iterative

Repeating steps using loops until a condition is met.

Library

A collection of prewritten code or functions.

Linear search

Searching one item at a time in a list.

Lists

An ordered collection of elements.

Logical operators

AND, OR, NOT—used to combine conditions.

Modularity

Breaking code into reusable parts or functions.

Modulus

An operator that returns the remainder of division.

Optimization problem

A problem that looks for the best solution among many.

Parameter

A variable used in a procedure to accept input.

Procedural abstraction

Using procedures to hide code details.

Procedure

A set of instructions to perform a task.

Pseudocode

A mix of natural language and code to describe algorithms.

Readability

How easy it is to read and understand code.

Relational operators

Symbols like >, <, == that compare values.

RETURN statement

Sends a value back from a function.

Selection statement

Uses conditions to choose which code runs (like if-else).

Sequential statement

Code that runs in order, one step at a time.

Simulation

A model of a real-world process run by a program.

String

A sequence of characters or text.

Substring

A smaller part of a string.

Traverse

Going through each element in a list or structure.

Undecidable problem

A problem no algorithm can solve for all cases.

Variable

A named spot in memory that stores data.