computer science vocab

binary

a system that uses 2 instead of 10 as a base

bit

short for binary digit, its the smallest unit of information

byte

a group of binary digits or bits operated on as a unit

decimal

a fraction whose denominator is a power of 10 and whose numerator is expressed by figures placed to the right of a decimal point

overflow error

occurs when a computer program tries to store more data in a fixed size location than it can handle

round-off error

the difference between an approximation of a number used in computation and its exact value

analog data

continuous, real world info that is represented by a range of values

digital data

the electronic representation of information in a format or language that machines can read

sampling

the reduction of continuous time signal to discrete

lossless compression

reduces files without sacrificing any significant info in the process

lossy compression

removes background data and approximates certain details of an image file

creative commons

a nonprofit that provides free licenses for creators to use when making their work available to the public

intellectual property

a work or invention that is the result of creativity that one has rights for. it also includes intangible objects