Computer Programming Vocabulary

Flashcards for vocabulary review based on lecture notes.

Computer System

A combination of hardware and software components that process and store data.

Hardware

The physical equipment associated with a computer, such as keyboards, mice, speakers, and printers.

Software

Computer instructions that tell the hardware what to do; programs written by programmers.

Application Software

Programs applied to a task, like word processing, spreadsheets, or games.

System Software

Programs that manage a computer, like operating systems (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS).

Input

Data items that enter the computer system for processing, such as text, numbers, images, or sounds.

Processing

Organizing, sorting, checking, or performing calculations on data items.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The hardware component that performs processing tasks.

Output

The resulting information sent to a printer, monitor, or storage device after data has been processed.

Data

Input items; raw material entered into and processed by a computer.

Information

Data items that have been processed and output.

Programming Language

A language used to write computer instructions, such as Visual Basic, C#, C++, or Java.

Program Code

Instructions written using a programming language.

Coding

The act of writing instructions in a programming language.

Syntax

The rules governing a language's word usage and punctuation.

Syntax Errors

Mistakes in a language's usage.

Computer Memory

A computer's temporary, internal storage.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A form of internal, volatile memory used for quick access to running programs and data.

Volatile Memory

Memory whose contents are lost when the computer is turned off or loses power.

Permanent Storage Devices

Nonvolatile devices, such as disks, that retain their contents even when power is lost.

Source Code

Programming language statements.

Object Code

Translated machine language statements.

Compiler/Interpreter

Software that translates source code into machine language.

Machine Language/Binary Language

Represented as a series of 0s and 1s. Also called binary language.

Run/Execute

To carry out program instructions.

Logic

The specific sequence of instructions in a program.

Logical Errors

Errors that produce incorrect output due to flaws in a program's logic.

Scripting Languages

Languages like Python, Lua, Perl, and PHP where scripts can be typed directly and stored as text.

Variable

A named memory location whose value can vary.

Program Development Cycle

The steps involved in creating a program: understanding the problem, planning the logic, coding, translating, testing, production, maintenance.

Users/End Users

People who benefit from computer programs.

Documentation

Supporting paperwork for a program, including requests, sample output, and data descriptions.

Algorithm

The sequence of steps or rules to solve a problem.

Desk-Checking

Walking through a program's logic on paper before writing the code.

Debugging

The process of finding and correcting program errors.

Conversion

The actions taken to switch to a new program.

Maintenance

Making changes to a program after it is in production.

Pseudocode

An English-like representation of logical steps for solving a problem.

Flowchart

A pictorial representation of logical steps for solving a problem.

Input Symbol

A parallelogram in flowcharts that represents an input operation.

Processing Symbol

A rectangle in flowcharts representing a processing operation.

Output Symbol

A parallelogram in flowcharts representing an output operation.

Flowlines

Arrows connecting the steps in a flowchart.

Terminal Symbol

A lozenge shape indicating the start or end of a flowchart.

Loop

The repetition of a series of steps.

Infinite Loop

A repeating flow of logic with no end.

Decision Symbol

A diamond shape used for decisions in flowcharts.

Dummy Value

A preselected value that stops program execution.

Sentinel Value

A preselected value that signals the end of a program.

EOF (End of File)

A marker indicating the end of data.

Text Editor

A program for creating simple text files.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

A software package that provides an editor, compiler, and programming tools.

Command Line

A text-based interface for interacting with the computer's operating system.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A graphical environment for interacting with a program.

Procedural Programming

A programming model focusing on procedures or actions.

Object-Oriented Programming

A programming model focusing on objects and their attributes and behaviors.

Data Type

A classification describing what values can be held, how the item is stored, and operations that can be done.

Numeric

Data that consists of numbers and can be used in arithmetic operations.

String

Data items that are nonnumeric.

Alphanumeric

Values that contain alphabetic characters, numbers, and punctuation.

Declaration

A statement that provides a data type, an identifier, and, optionally, an initial value.

Identifier

A program component’s name.

Keywords

Limited word set that is reserved in a language.

Pascal Casing

Initial letter is uppercase, multi-word names are run together, and each new word starts with an uppercase letter ex. HourlyWage

Camel Casing

Initial letter is lowercase, multi-word names are run together, and each new word starts with an uppercase letter ex. hourlyWage

Snake Casing

Parts of a name are separated by underscores ex. hourly_wage

Assignment Statement

Assigns a value to a variable or constant using the assignment operator (=).

Binary Operator

Operator that requires two operands.

Operand

A value used by an operator.

Lvalue

The memory address identifier, the left side of an assignment operator.

Initializing

Assigning a variable’s first value.

Named Constant

Value cannot change after the first assignment.

Logic

The complete sequence of instructions to solve problem.

Rules of Precedence

Multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction.

Operator Associativity

Describes how operators of equal precedence are handled.

Modulo Operator

Yields the remainder of division.

Modules

Reusable program units.

Functional Decomposition

Reduction of code into smaller modules.

Reusability

Modules can be used across different applications.

Reliability

Modules have been tested and are known to function correctly.

Encapsulation

Containing instructions in a module.

Cohesion of a Module

A module’s statements contribute to the same task.

Visible

This describes what data items a module can recognize and is also called scope.

Local

Variables declared within the module that uses them.

Portable

A module that can be reused easily multiple programs.

Global

Variables known to an entire program.

Housekeeping Tasks

Performed at the beginning of a program.

Detail Loop Tasks

Repeated for each set of input data.

End-of-Job Tasks

The tasks at the end to finish the application.

Hierarchy Chart

Diagram that illustrates modules’ relationships to each other; It indicates which modules exist and call each other.

Program Comments

Explanations that serve as documentation.

Internal Documentation

Documentation included inside the code.

External Documentation

Documentation outside the coded program.

Self-Documenting

Programs written out accurately which have meaningful names.

Temporary Variable

Also called a work variable, this is used to hold intermediate results.

Prompts

A message displayed so the user knows the expected format for input.

Echoing Input

Repeating input back to a user ex asking what the customer name is and repeating that on the prompt for balance due.