Unit 1 Computer Science Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering binary, data representation, abstraction, compression, and digital rights based on Unit 1 lecture notes.

Overflow Error

An error resulting from attempting to represent a number that is too large.

Round Off Error

An error resulting from attempting to represent a number that is too precise, where the number is rounded.

Abstraction

When complex internal details are hidden and only essential features are shown to the user, reducing complexity by separating what an object does from how it does it.

Analog Data

Data with values that change continuously, or smoothly, over time, such as music, colors of a painting, or position of a sprinter.

Digital Data

Data that changes discretely through a finite set of possible values.

Sampling

A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring the analog data at regular intervals called samples.

Lossless Compression

A reversible process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something without losing any information.

Compression

Representing the same information with fewer characters.

Key

Also called a dictionary.

Binary Number

A number system using digits 0 and 1 that is different from the decimal number system, multiplies by 2 each time, and can represent any number.

Bit

Short for binary digit, it is the smallest piece of information a computer can store, representing a wire that can either be 1 or 0 (on or off).

Layers of Abstraction in Color Images

The sequential levels used to represent color images, consisting of the Digital Image Layer, Sampling Layer, Pixel Layer, and Binary Layer.

Pixel Layer

A layer in color image abstraction where each pixel is represented by levels of red, green, and blue light.

Binary Layer

A layer in color image abstraction where red, green, and blue values are represented using a sequence of binary numbers.

Lossy Compression

A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something in which some information is lost or thrown away, making it non-reversible.

Creative Commons

A collection of public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted work, used when an author wants to give people the right to share, use, and build upon a work they created.

Intellectual Property

A work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a piece of writing or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.

Open Source

Programs that are made freely available and may be redistributed and modified.

Open Access

Online research output free of restrictions to access and use.