Section 4: Computational Thinking and Programming Logic Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering computational thinking, algorithm characteristics, SDLC phases, flowchart symbols, data types, and specific data structure operations discussed in the Section 4 lecture notes.

Computer programming

The process of writing code that tells a computer, application, or software program what to do.

Variables

Named storage locations that hold a value or an object which can be changed.

Algorithms

A series of steps followed to solve a problem or complete a task, similar to a recipe in cooking.

Flowcharts

Graphical representations of algorithms that use shapes and arrows to illustrate the sequence of steps.

Pseudocode

The use of plain text or English to write algorithm instructions rather than using actual code.

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle)

A structured process used by software developers and project managers to design, develop, test, and deploy software.

Data types

A label or category that tells a computer what kind of data is being worked with, such as integers or strings.

Data structures

A way of organizing and storing collections of data so that it can be used efficiently.

Arrays

A data structure that stores a collection of the same elements, typically of the same data types, in a specific order.

camelCase

A way to separate words in a phrase by capitalizing the first letter of the second and subsequent words without using spaces.

Definiteness

A key characteristic where each algorithm step must be precise, leaving no room for interpretation or uncertainty.

Finiteness

A key characteristic where an algorithm must eventually terminate after a finite number of operations.

Search Algorithms

A step-by-step method for locating specific elements in a data set.

Sorting Algorithms

Algorithms that put elements of a list into a specific order, such as alphabetical or numerical.

Encryption Algorithms

Algorithms that encode or hide data to make it more secure during storage or transmission.

Terminator Symbol

A flowchart symbol that shows where a process begins (Start) or ends (Stop).

Input/Output Symbol

A parallelogram shape in a flowchart used to show any action where information is taken in or given out.

Processing Symbol

A rectangular box in a flowchart that performs math operations like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.

Decision Symbol

A diamond shape in a flowchart used to show a choice with two different outcomes based on the decision.

Problem Analysis

The first step in developing software where a systems analyst works with a client to understand the purpose and requirements of a project.

Wireframes

Simple sketches used during the design phase to show how the user interface (UI) will be laid out.

Debugging

The process of identifying and correcting errors in code.

Syntax error

An error in the spelling or grammar of the code, such as incorrectly entering the command word 'print' as 'pront'.

Normal data

Data that a program is designed to accept as valid input during testing.

Extreme data

Test data that lies on the boundary of what is considered normal, such as a score of $0\%$ or $100\%$.

Exceptional data

Data that is out of range or invalid, such as entering a negative number or text where a number is expected.

Run-time error

An error that occurs while the program is running, such as a crash caused by attempting to divide by zero.

Logic error

A mistake in the design or formula of a program that causes it to produce incorrect results even if the code runs.

Integer (int)

A Python data type used for whole numbers.

Floating-point (float)

A Python data type used for numbers with decimals, also referred to as real values.

Boolean (bool)

A Python data type that stores one of two values: True or False.

String (str)

A Python data type that stores a sequence of characters, often enclosed in quotes.

type()

A Python function used to check the data type of a variable.

Linear data structure

A structure where elements are arranged on a straight path and connected end-to-end, such as arrays and stacks.

Non-linear data structure

A structure where data elements are not organized sequentially but in an interconnected manner, such as trees and graphs.

Traversing

The term for iterating over or moving through a collection of data elements.

Static data structures

Data structures with a fixed size where memory is allocated at compile time.

Dynamic data structures

Data structures with a size that can change during run time to accommodate different data requirements.

Subscript (Index)

A unique number assigned to each element in an array to help find its specific position, starting at index $0$.

Parallel arrays

Multiple arrays used to represent related data where each index in one array corresponds to the same index in others.

2D Array

A multi-dimensional array with rows and columns, forming a grid-like structure accessed using two indices (r, c).

Linked List

A dynamic data structure where each item (node) contains both data and a pointer to the next item.

Singly Linked List

A uni-directional linked list that can only point to the next node, not the previous one.

Doubly Linked List

An advanced linked list where each node contains data, a pointer to the next node, and a pointer to the previous node.

Stack

A LIFO list where items are only added (pushed) or removed (popped) from the top.

LIFO

Last In, First Out; the principle governing stacks where the last item added is the first one removed.

Stack Overflow

An error that occurs when new data is added to a stack past the specified End pointer.

Stack Underflow

An error that occurs when data is attempted to be popped below the Bottom pointer of a stack.

Queue

A FIFO list where items are added at one end (rear) and removed from the other (front).

FIFO

First In, First Out; the principle governing queues where the first item entered is the first one processed.

Enqueuing

The process of adding an item to the end of a queue.

Dequeuing

The process of removing an item from the front of a queue.

Graph

A collection of nodes (vertices) connected by lines (edges) used to model relationships.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Software that combines code editing, compiling, and debugging functions in one place, such as IDLE or PyCharm.

Assignment Operator

The Python symbol $=$ used to store a value in a variable.

Concatenation

The process of joining two variables or strings together, often using the $+$ symbol.

Equality Comparison

The Python operator $==$ used to check if two values are equal.

f-string

A formatted string literal in Python created by placing the letter 'f' before quotes to embed variables in braces $\{\}$.

Swap Algorithm

An algorithm used to exchange the values of two variables, often utilizing a 'Temporary' variable as a placeholder.

if/else statement

A programming construct used for conditional execution, telling the computer what to do based on whether a condition is true or false.

len()

A Python function used to determine the total number of items in an array or list.

count()

A Python list method that returns the number of occurrences of a specific value in the list.