Fundamentals of Algorithms and Programming

A set of flashcards designed to review key vocabulary and concepts related to algorithms and programming as covered in the lecture.

Sequencing

The execution of instructions in a specific order.

Selection

The part of an algorithm that determines which instructions are executed based on a condition.

Iteration

The repetition of a portion of an algorithm a specified number of times or until a condition is met.

Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.

Algorithmic solution

Solutions developed by programmers that can take many forms.

Caesar Cipher

An early encryption technique that substitutes each letter of the plaintext with a letter shifted by a fixed number.

Substitution Cipher

An encryption method that replaces each letter with another letter.

Plaintext

The original unencrypted message.

Ciphertext

The encoded message after encryption.

Left Rotation

A method of shifting characters in the alphabet to the left by a certain number of spaces.

Block

A section of code that performs a specific task.

Display

The command used to present output to the user.

Input Function

A function that captures user input.

Arithmetic Operators

Operators used to perform mathematical operations such as addition and subtraction.

Relational Operators

Operators that compare two values and return a Boolean result.

Boolean Value

A data type with two possible values: true or false.

IF Statement

A conditional statement that executes a block of code only when a specified condition is true.

FOR LOOP

A control structure used to repeat a block of code a specific number of times.

Unconditional Statement

A statement that executes regardless of conditions.

REPEAT UNTIL

A loop that continues until a specified condition evaluates to true.

List Operations

Functions defined to manipulate lists such as adding or removing elements.

Index

A position in a list that indicates where an element is located.

MOD Operator

An operator that returns the remainder of division.

Procedure

A set of instructions packaged as a unit to perform a specific task.

Return Statement

Ends a procedure and optionally returns a value to the caller.

Robot Movement

Commands issued to a robot determining its actions.

MOVE FORWARD Command

A command that instructs the robot to move in the direction it is currently facing.

ROTATE LEFT Command

A command that rotates the robot 90 degrees counterclockwise.

ROTATE RIGHT Command

A command that rotates the robot 90 degrees clockwise.

CAN MOVE Command

Checks if the robot can move in a specified direction.

Error Message

A notification that an error has occurred in the program.

Open Square

A space that the robot can move into.

Cryptography

The practice of secure communication in the presence of third parties.

Dynamic Adaptation

Adjusting operations based on varying conditions.

Condition

A statement that evaluates to true or false.

Expression

A combination of variables, operators, and values that produces a result.

Assignment Statement

A statement that assigns a value to a variable.

Code Block

A group of statements that are executed together.

Function Call

An instruction to execute a function.

List Index Error

An error produced when an index does not fall within the valid range of a list.

Initial State

The starting conditions of a program or algorithm.

Output

The result produced by a program.

Variable

A storage location identified by a name which holds a value.

Object-Oriented Programming

A programming paradigm based on the concept of objects.

Debugging

The process of finding and fixing errors in code.

Algorithm Complexity

A measure of the amount of resources required for an algorithm, typically time or space.