Computer Science Illuminated Chapter 6

the act of finding a solution to a perplexing question

problem solving

a set of instructions for solving a problem or

sub-problem in a finite amount of time using a finite amount of resources

algorithm

a technique for developing a program in which a problem is divided into more easily solved sub-problems, the solutions of which collectively solve the problem

top-down design

a self contained collection of steps that solves a problem or sub-problem

module

any knowledge that can be communicated/processed data

information

information in a form that a computer can use/raw and unorganized information

data

tracing the execution of a design on paper

desk checking

a manual simulation of a design performed by a team

walk through

an entity or thing that is relevant in the context of a problem

object

description of a group of objects with similar properties and behaviors

object class/class

a named item in a class; can be data or subprograms

field

a named algorithm that manipulates the data values in the object

method

a model of a complex system that includes only the details essential to the viewer

abstraction

a set of rules, symbols, and special words used to construct a program--that is to express a sequence of instructions for a computer

programming language

formal rules governing the construction of valid instructions

syntax