Computer Science Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards for reviewing computer science lecture notes, focusing on vocabulary terms and definitions.

Program Development Life Cycle

The stages of designing, writing, testing, and refining a program.

Collaboration in Programming

Working with others to brainstorm, divide tasks, and debug efficiently in programming.

Program Documentation

Writing comments or explanations that describe what code does for future reference.

Iterative Design

Continuously improving a program through repeated testing and refinement.

Incremental Development

Building a program step by step and testing each part as you go.

Binary Numbers (bits, bytes)

Data in computers is stored using only 0s and 1s.

Data Types (numbers, text, Boolean)

Different kinds of data like integers, text (strings), or true/false values.

Data Abstraction

Organizing data in a way that hides complexity, like using lists or tables.

Data Compression (lossy vs. lossless)

Reducing data size by removing redundancy (lossless) or quality (lossy).

Patterns in Data

Identifying trends, similarities, or anomalies in datasets.

Metadata

Data that describes other data, like a file’s size or date created.

Data Collection Tools

Software or hardware used to gather information (e.g., surveys, sensors).

Cleaning Data

Removing errors, duplicates, or inconsistencies in datasets.

Using Programs to Process Data

Writing code to analyze or manipulate data automatically.

Visualizing Data

Creating graphs or charts to better understand and communicate data insights.

Variables and Assignments

Storing values in named containers that can be changed.

Data Types (numeric, Boolean, string)

Specific kinds of values used in code (numbers, true/false, or text).

Lists (arrays)

A collection of elements stored in a single variable.

Indexing Lists

Accessing specific items in a list by their position (starting at 1 in pseudocode).

Logic Expressions (AND, OR, NOT)

Statements that combine conditions to return true or false.

Arithmetic Expressions

Math calculations in code (e.g., +, -, *, /, %).

Relational Operators (==, !=, >,

Compare values and return true or false.

Conditional Statements (if, if-else, nested if)

Code that runs only if certain conditions are true.

Iteration (for loop, while loop)

Repeating code multiple times using loops.

Traversing a List

Going through each item in a list one by one.

Functions/Procedures

Reusable blocks of code that perform specific tasks.

Parameters and Arguments

Inputs passed into a function to affect how it runs.

Return Values

The output that a function gives back after being called.

Abstraction Through Functions

Hiding complexity by using named blocks of code for specific actions.

Developing Algorithms

Creating a clear step-by-step process to solve a problem.

Sequencing, Selection, and Iteration

The three basic control structures: order, decisions, and repetition.

String Operations

Manipulating text, like combining or slicing strings.

Random Values

Using code to generate unpredictable numbers.

Efficiency of Algorithms

How quickly or effectively an algorithm solves a problem.

Simulations

Modeling real-world processes with a program to test different scenarios.

Computing Devices

Machines like computers, tablets, or smartphones that run programs.

Input/Output Devices

Hardware that sends data to (input) or receives data from (output) a computer.

The Internet

A global network that connects devices and allows data sharing.

IP Addresses

Unique numbers that identify devices on the Internet.

DNS (Domain Name System)

Translates website names into IP addresses.

HTTP/HTTPS

Protocols used to request and send web data (HTTPS is secure).

TCP/IP Protocols

Rules that govern how data is split into packets and sent across networks.

Fault Tolerance

The ability of a system to keep working even if parts fail.

Redundancy

Having extra pathways or backups to ensure reliability.

Packet Switching

Breaking data into packets that travel separately and reassemble at the destination.

Parallel and Distributed Computing

Running tasks simultaneously on multiple computers or processors.

Scalability

The ability of a system to handle increased demand by adding resources.

Cybersecurity Basics

Practices to protect systems and data from unauthorized access or attacks.

Public Key Encryption

A secure way of sending data using paired public and private keys.

Phishing and Other Threats

Tactics used by attackers to steal information or harm systems.

Digital Certificates

Used to verify that a website is secure and legitimate.

Computing Innovations

New technology or applications created using computing tools.

Beneficial and Harmful Effects of Computing

Positive and negative consequences of computer use.

Bias in Computing

When algorithms reflect unfair assumptions or data.

Digital Divide

Unequal access to technology based on geography, income, or other factors.

Crowdsourcing

Gathering input or data from a large group of people, often online.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Questions about what is right or allowed in computing.

Data Privacy

Protecting personal information from unauthorized use.

Intellectual Property

Legal rights over creative works like software or media.

Open Source vs. Licensed Software

Free-to-use and modify software versus software with restrictions.

List

A variable that stores multiple related items.

Procedure with Parameter

A function that takes an input to modify its behavior.

Mathematical/Logic Expressions

Uses math or Boolean logic in code.

Iteration

Repetition using a loop.

Selection

A decision using if/else or similar logic.

Input/Output

Receiving data from the user and displaying results.

Purpose and Functionality

What your program is meant to do and how it works.

Test Cases

Examples that show your program works correctly.

Written Responses (sections 2a–2d)

Short written explanations submitted with the project.