AP CSP Code.org Unit 2 Vocabulary

Computing Device

A machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors.

IP Address

A unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.

Packet

A chunk of data sent over a network. Larger messages are divided into packets that may arrive at the destination in order, out-of-order, or not at all.

Protocol

An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of some system.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail, for example by having more than one path between any two connected devices in a network.

Router

A type of computer that forwards data across a network.

TCP: Transmisison Control Protocol

Provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of packets on the internet. TCP is tightly linked with IP and usually seen as TCP/IP in writing.

DNS: Domain Name System

The Internet's system for converting alphabetic names into numeric IP addresses.

HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol

The protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet.

Computing System

A group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose.

Server

A computer that awaits and responds to requests for data.

Computing Network

A group of computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

Path

The series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per seconds.

Internet Protocol (IP)

A protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device.

Fault Tolerant

Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures. This is important because elements of complex systems like a computer network fail at unexpected times, often in groups.

Internet

A computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (non-proprietary) communication protocols.

Packet Metadata

Data dded to packets to help route them through the network and reassemble the original message.

Routing

The process of finding a path from sender to receiver.

UDP: User Datagram Protocol

A protocol used on the internet for fast transmission of information but with minimal error checking.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

Certificate Authority

Issue digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys used in secure communications and are based on a trust model.

Digital Divide

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet, based on socioeconomic, geographic or demographic characteristics.