IB Computer Science SL/HL (All Paper 1 Topics)

All terms for IB Computer Science Paper 1. Imported from computersciencecafe.com. Edited by ChatGPT4o.

Planning

The process of outlining goals, resources, constraints, and actions required to implement a new system.

System Installation

Setting up and configuring hardware and software for a new or upgraded system.

Change Management

Managing the transition from old systems/processes to new ones to minimize disruption.

Compatibility Issues

Conflicts that arise from integrating new systems with existing systems, including legacy systems.

Legacy System

An outdated system still in use, often requiring special integration methods.

System Implementation

The method by which a new system is introduced (e.g., parallel, direct, phased, pilot).

Data Migration

Moving data from one system to another while maintaining data integrity.

Testing

Verifying that a system functions as intended. Includes alpha, beta, black-box, and white-box testing.

User Documentation

Manuals or help guides created for end users to understand and use the system effectively.

User Training

Educating users on how to operate a new system.

System Backup

Creating copies of data to prevent loss in case of failure.

Software Deployment

The release and installation of software updates or new versions.

Stakeholders

People or groups affected by or involved in a system (e.g., users, clients, developers).

Requirements Gathering

Collecting information from stakeholders to define what the system must do.

System Design

The process of defining system architecture, components, interfaces, and data.

Prototypes

Early models of a system used to demonstrate functionality.

Usability

How easy, efficient, and satisfying a system is for users.

Accessibility

Designing systems usable by people with various physical or cognitive limitations.

Social and Ethical Issues

Considerations like data privacy, digital divide, and sustainability when implementing systems.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

The study of how users interact with systems.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The hardware unit that executes program instructions.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Performs mathematical and logical operations within the CPU.

Control Unit (CU)

Manages the execution of instructions in the CPU.

Registers

Small, fast memory locations within the CPU.

Primary Memory

Memory directly accessible by the CPU (RAM and ROM).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile memory for temporary data storage.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Non-volatile memory containing fixed data or instructions.

Cache Memory

High-speed memory for storing frequently used instructions and data.

Machine Instruction Cycle

The process of fetching, decoding, executing, and storing instructions.

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile storage like SSDs or HDDs for long-term data storage.

Operating System (OS)

Manages hardware, software, and system resources.

Application Software

Programs designed to perform specific tasks for users.

Binary Representation

Using 0s and 1s to represent data.

Bit

The smallest unit of data (0 or 1).

Byte

A group of 8 bits.

Boolean Operators

Logical operators like AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR.

Truth Tables

Tables showing all possible input/output combinations for logic operations.

Logic Gates

Electronic devices implementing Boolean functions.

Denary (Decimal)

Base-10 number system.

Hexadecimal

Base-16 number system, often used in computing.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Interface using visual elements like icons and menus.

String

A sequence of characters.

Integer

A whole number.

Character

A single letter, digit, or symbol.

Unicode

A universal character encoding system.

Data Bus

Transfers data between CPU and other components.

Address Bus

Transfers memory addresses used for data access.

Volatile Memory

Loses content when power is off (e.g., RAM).

Non-Volatile Memory

Retains content without power (e.g., ROM, SSD).

Ergonomics

Design focused on human comfort and efficiency.

LAN (Local Area Network)

Network covering a small area like a home, office, or school.

VLAN

Logically segmented LAN.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

Network over a large geographic area, like a cellular network covering a country.

SAN (Storage Area Network)

Dedicated network for data storage.

WLAN (Wireless LAN)

LAN using wireless communication.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

Short-range personal network.

Internet

Global network of networks.

Extranet

A network that allows controlled access from outside the organization.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

An encrypted connection between a device and a remote server.

P2P (Peer-to-Peer)

A decentralized network model.

OSI Model

A 7-layer model explaining network communication.

Transmission Media

Physical paths like cables or wireless used to transmit data.

Data Packet

Unit of data sent over a network.

Packet Switching

Breaking data into packets for transmission.

Circuit Switching

Dedicated connection for data transfer.

Protocol

Set of rules for data communication.

Data Compression

Reducing data size for transmission efficiency.

Network Security

Protecting data and systems on a network.

Encryption

Encoding data to prevent unauthorized access.

Data Integrity

Ensuring accuracy and consistency of data.

Flow Control

Managing data rate between sender and receiver.

Deadlock

Processes waiting on each other, leading to a halt.

Congestion

Network overload due to excess traffic.

Error Checking

Techniques like parity or checksums to detect errors.

2D Array

Data structure storing data in rows and columns.

Stack

LIFO (Last In, First Out) data structure.

Queue

FIFO (First In, First Out) data structure.

Heap

A priority queue implemented as a tree.

Linked List

A linear data structure using nodes.

Doubly Linked List

Linked list with pointers to both previous and next nodes.

Circular Linked List

Last node points to the first node.

Pointer

A variable storing the address of another variable.

Binary Tree

A tree where each node has at most two children.

Traversal (Pre/Post/In-Order)

Visiting tree nodes in specific orders.

Recursion

A function calling itself.

Base Case

Termination condition in recursion.

Virtual Memory

Using disk storage as additional RAM.

Paging

Managing virtual memory in fixed-size blocks.

Interrupt

A signal that temporarily halts the CPU's current task.

Polling

Checking device status repeatedly.

Time-Slicing

Allocating CPU time to processes in small units.

Multitasking

Running multiple processes simultaneously.

Scheduling

Algorithm for selecting process execution order.

Control System

A system regulating processes using feedback.

Embedded System

A dedicated computer system within a larger system.

Autonomous Agent

A system that makes decisions independently.

Output Transducer

Converts electrical signals to physical outputs.

Feedback Loop

System output influencing future input.

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Allows Java code to run on any platform.

Pseudocode

Structured, language-independent way of writing algorithms.