Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Science

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the history of computing, computer hardware and software architecture, programming languages, and the problem-solving cycle from Chapter 1.

Abacus

One of the oldest tools used to perform basic arithmetic operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Pascaline

A mechanical calculating machine designed by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century that used wheels, gears, and physical mechanisms to automate arithmetic operations.

Analytical Engine

A 19th-century mechanical computer design envisioned by Charles Babbage that introduced core architectural concepts of modern computers: a processing unit, memory, instructions, and input/output.

Ada Lovelace

A historical figure who described a method enabling Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine to perform a sequence of calculations.

First Generation Computers

Early electronic computers that primarily used vacuum tubes, characterized by very large physical size, high power consumption, substantial heat generation, limited reliability, and difficult programming.

Second Generation Computers

Computers in which transistors gradually replaced vacuum tubes, resulting in machines that were smaller, faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient.

Third Generation Computers

Computers characterized by integrated circuits that combined multiple electronic components onto a single chip, making systems more compact, reliable, and faster.

Fourth Generation Computers

Computers defined by the emergence of the microprocessor, which integrated the entire central processor onto a single electronic chip, leading to personal computers, workstations, and embedded systems.

Computer

An electronic machine capable of receiving information, storing data and instructions, processing that information, and producing results.

Functional Structure of a Computer

The conceptual model consisting of Input units, the Central Processing Unit (Processor), Output units, and Memory (which stores data and programs).

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary processor of a computer responsible for executing program instructions, performing arithmetic operations, logical operations, comparisons, and controlling instruction execution.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

A core component of the processor that carries out arithmetic calculations ($+$ , $-$ , $\times$), logical operations, and comparisons.

Control Unit

A processor component that coordinates instruction execution by determining which instruction to execute, which data to use, and which operation to perform.

Registers

Small, high-speed storage locations located directly inside the processor that are used to hold data and instructions temporarily during execution.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile main memory that temporarily holds active programs and data; its contents are completely lost when power is turned off or interrupted.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile memory used to permanently retain essential information and instructions required for basic system startup and operation.

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile storage media—such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and external drives—used for permanent retention of programs and data.

Input Units

Hardware devices (such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, or camera) that enable a user or another system to supply data and commands to a computer.

Output Units

Hardware devices (such as a screen, printer, speakers, or projector) that display or present the results produced by computer processing.

Hardware

The physical, tangible components of a computer system that can be physically identified or handled, such as the processor, memory, motherboard, SSD, keyboard, and screen.

Software

The set of programs, routines, and instructions (such as operating systems, web browsers, compilers, and applications) that tell the computer hardware what tasks to perform.

Machine Language

The lowest-level programming language directly executed by the processor, consisting entirely of binary digits ($0$ and $1$).

Assembly Language

A low-level programming language that replaces binary code with human-readable symbolic mnemonics (such as ADD, MOV, and SUB) which must be translated into machine code.

High-Level Languages

Programming languages (such as C, C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript) designed closer to human reasoning and readability rather than underlying machine architecture.

Algorithm

A formal, step-by-step description of a method used to solve a specific problem, independent of any specific programming language.

Program

The concrete implementation and encoding of an algorithm using a specific programming language.

Compiler

A specialized software tool that translates source code written in a high-level language into machine code understandable by the computer, analyzing syntax and reporting syntax errors.

Problem-Solving Cycle

The structured multi-step methodology used in computing: Problem Analysis followed by Algorithm Design, Programming, Compilation, and Execution.