Computer Systems Servicing and Programming Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Computer Systems Servicing (CSS), Network Topologies, IP Addressing, Programming Basics, and Web Development.

Computer System Servicing

The installation, configuration, maintenance, and repair of computer systems and networks.

Network

A system of Interconnected computers and devices that talk and share data to each other.

Network Interface Card

The physical hardware that allows a computer to connect to a network.

Hub

A device that simply broadcasts Incoming data to ALL connected paths.

Switch

A device similar to a hub that learns the MAC addresses of connected devices and only sends data to the specific port that needs it.

Router

A device that connects different networks, determines the best path for data, and operates using IP Addresses.

Repeater

A device that receives a weak signal, regenerates that signal, and transmits it again to cover a longer distance.

Modem

Also known as Modulator-Demodulator; it converts the computer's digital signal from the ISP into analog signal and vice versa.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

The smallest type of network, used only by and for one person, such as connecting a phone to Bluetooth earphones.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network that covers a small area like a single room, a house, or building.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A network that connects multiple LANS covering an area between different locations within a city, such as a cable TV network.

Wireless Area Network (WAN)

The largest network covering a massive distance, usually between two different geographical locations locally or worldwide, such as the Internet.

Bus Topology

A physical and logical layout where all nodes are connected to a single central cable; it is cheap and simple but fails if the main cable breaks.

Star Topology

The most common topology where all nodes are connected to a central device; the whole network goes down if the central device fails.

Ring Topology

A layout where each node connects to exactly two other nodes forming a continuous circle, with data traveling in one direction.

Mesh Topology

A network where every node is connected to other nodes, providing the highest redundancy but being expensive and complex to wire.

Tree Topology

A combination of bus and star topologies where groups of star-figured networks are connected to a root through a central bus cable.

Hybrid Topology

A mixture of two or more different topologies.

Twisted Pair Cable

The most common cable used in LANS consisting of pairs of color-coded copper wires twisted to reduce interference.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

The standard cable for offices/homes that is flexible and cheap but lacks protection against outside interference.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

A cable containing a metal foil shield to protect against EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), used in industrial areas.

Coaxial Cable

Cable used for cable TV that contains a single central copper conductor surrounded by plastic insulation and a braided metal shield.

Fiber Optic Cable

A cable that converts signals to light pulses to transfer data through thin shards of glass, making it immune to interference.

Single-mode Fiber Optic

A type of fiber optic cable used for long distances and high speeds, utilizing lasers.

Multi-mode Fiber Optic

A type of fiber optic cable used for shorter distances and lower costs, utilizing LED.

IP Address

A unique identity of a network in an IP network, acting as the name of a network and users across the connection.

Subnet Mask

A filter that tells the computer which part of its IP address is the Network and which is the Host.

Class A IP Address

IP addresses in the first octet range of $1-127$ with a default subnet mask of $255.0.0.0$, used for huge organizations.

Class B IP Address

IP addresses in the first octet range of $128-191$ with a default subnet mask of $255.255.0.0$, used for large universities or regional ISPs.

Class C IP Address

IP addresses in the first octet range of $192-223$ with a default subnet mask of $255.255.255.0$, used for small businesses and home LANs.

Programming

The process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific computing result or perform a task.

Variable

A labeled memory location used to store data that can change during the execution of a program.

Int (Integer)

A data type used to store whole numbers such as $10$, $-50$, or $2025$.

Float

A data type used to store decimal numbers such as $3.14$ or $94.20$.

Char (character)

A data type representing a single symbol such as '$A$', '$\&$', or '$8$'.

Boolean

A data type used to store logical values: TRUE or FALSE.

String

A data type used to store text such as "Hello" or "World".

Machine language

The lowest level programming language, hardest for humans to read, consisting of binary such as $1$s and $0$s.

Assembly

A low-level programming language that uses Mnemonics such as MOV, ADD, and PUSH.

High-level Programming

Programming languages designed to be easy for humans to read and write, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, and Swift.

If-statement

The most basic form of a conditional structure: If X is true, do Y.

For Loop

An iterative structure used when the programmer knows exactly how many times they want to repeat a block of code.

While Loop

An iterative structure that repeats a block of code as long as a condition holds true.

Do-while Loop

An iterative structure similar to a while loop but designed to execute the code block at least once.

Unlimited Loop

A situation where the exit condition is never met, and the program is stuck in a forever loop.

Modulo ($$)

An arithmetic operator that returns the remainder of a division.

Syntax Error

A mistake in the grammar of the programming language detected before the program runs.

Runtime Error

An error that causes the program to crash during execution, usually when the programmer asks for an impossible action despite valid syntax.

Logic Error

An error where the program runs but provides incorrect output because the programmer gave wrong instructions.

Algorithm

A logical, step-by-step procedure to solve a problem.

Pseudocode

An instructional format that uses the structure of programming but uses plain English words.

Array

A variable that holds a list of items of the same data type.

Compiler

A tool that translates the entire source code into an executable file all at once.

Interpreter

A tool that translates and executes code line-by-line for testing and debugging.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

An application combining all fundamental tools of programming into one to maximize productivity.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

The standard markup language used to create the structure and framework of web pages.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheet)

A stylesheet language used to describe the presentation and design of HTML documents.

JavaScript

A high-level programming language that enables interactive and dynamic content on web pages.

Phone Etiquette

The prescribed code of usage regarding professional practice and social behavior for contact center services.

Cold Transfer

The process of relocating an inbound call to another phone system without speaking to the new agent first.

Warm Transfer

The process of relocating a call where the agent speaks with the new agent first before transferring the caller.