Computer Science Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing computer science concepts.

Flowchart

A diagram that uses different boxes for different commands.

Decision Box

Diamond boxes in flowcharts used for 'yes' or 'no' questions.

Sub Program

References other flowcharts.

Start/Stop (Terminals)

Represented by boxes with rounded corners at the beginning and end of an algorithm.

Input/Output

Anything put into or taken out of the algorithm, represented by parallelogram boxes.

Processes

General instructions, processes, and calculations represented in rectangular boxes.

Sequence

Instructions carried out in order, one after another, with only one route to follow.

Selection

Decisions made that affect which instructions are carried out next, represented by diamond boxes.

Iteration

A set of instructions that are repeated; the number of repeats can be fixed or depend on a condition.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The most important component of a computer, responsible for all of a computer's processing.

Clock Speed

The speed of a computer CPU, measured in hertz (Hz).

Gigahertz (GHz)

One billion hertz per second; used to describe bus speeds and CPU clock speeds.

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer system.

Software

The programs that run on a computer.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

A small program held in ROM, called the bootstrap loader, is automatically executed on start up of the computer.

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

The process by which the CPU operates, repeating three operations: FETCH, DECODE, EXECUTE.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory that is constantly being written to and read from; it does not retain its contents without a constant supply of power.

Binary

A number system using 0 and 1; the language understood by computers.

Denary

The Base 10 number system that uses the numbers 0-9.

Bit

A single binary digit (0 or 1).

Nibble

4 bits.

Byte (B)

8 bits.

Kilobyte (KB)

1,000 bytes.

Megabyte (MB)

1,000 kilobytes.

Gigabyte (GB)

1,000 megabytes.

Terabyte (TB)

1,000 gigabytes.

Petabyte (PB)

1,000 terabytes.

Spreadsheet

A program that can display and process data (including numbers and text) in a structured way.

Rows and Columns

Divide each table up into individual cells.

Cells

Each cell in a table can be identified using the column letter and row number as coordinates.

Formulas

An instruction to the computer to process data held in specific cells; it always starts with the = sign.

SUM

Adds up numbers in a cell range.

MAX

Finds the largest value in a cell range.

MIN

Finds the smallest value in a cell range.

AVERAGE

Finds the mean of numbers in a cell range.

IF

Checks if data matches a condition; the result depends on the match being true or false.

Charts

Displays data in a visual way, including Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Scatter Graphs, and Pie Charts.

Sort

Arranges the data into a more suitable order (e.g., highest to lowest, alphabetically).

Filter

Shows only the data that the user has specified.

Software application

A computer program designed to carry out a specific task.

Word processor

Allows you to type letters/symbols electronically and save, print or edit them.

Formatting

Changing the appearance and layout of a document.

Plagiarism

The process of practice of using another person's ideas or work and pretending it's your own.

Copyright Law

Using digital images without permission from the owner.

Paraphrase

To repeat something written or spoken using different words.

Citation

Referencing someone else's work.

Credibility of a source

Checking the author and the source making sure it is reliable.

Adaptions

Making changes and modifications.

Commercial Use

Making money from the product.

Computing

The study of algorithmic processes and development of both hardware and software

Secure Password

A password that is designed to be difficult for a person or program to guess

Hazards

Anything that poses a threat to a computer's security, performance or functionality

Email

The exchange of messages from one user to one or more recipients via the Internet

Recipient

A person that receives something eg. Email

Collaborating Online

Using the Internet and online tools to work together from various locations

Online Community

A group of people who belong to a particular group on the Internet

Presentations

An activity in which someone shows, describes or explains something to a group of people

Audience

A group of people who are spectators to an event such as a play, concert or meeting

Cyberbullying

Sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else

Catfishing

Someone sets up a fake online profile to trick people on a social networking service