Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers and Programming

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts of computer systems, hardware, software, programming languages, algorithms, flowcharts, and Python basics.

Computer

A programmable machine designed to follow instructions.

Program

A set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task.

Programmer

A person with the training and skills necessary to design, create, and test computer programs.

Control Unit

A unit inside the CPU that retrieves and decodes program instructions and coordinates computer operations.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

A unit inside the CPU that performs mathematical operations and logical operations such as comparisons.

Gigahertz (GHz)

The unit currently used to measure processor speed.

Main Memory (RAM)

Volatile memory divided into bytes with unique addresses that holds program instructions and data while the program is running.

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile storage (such as magnetic, optical, or flash media) that retains data even when the program is not running or the computer is turned off.

Operating System

A program that manages computer hardware and other programs that run on the computer, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Utility Programs

Programs that enhance the computer's operations, such as virus scanners and data backup programs.

Software Development Tools

Programs that programmers use to create, modify, and test the programs they develop.

Applications

Programs that make a computer useful for everyday tasks, such as word processing programs, games, and web browsers.

Low-level Language

A programming language used for communicating directly with computer hardware.

High-level Language

A programming language closer to human language, such as Python, Java, C++, C#, FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal.

Compiler

Software that translates an entire high-level program into machine language instructions before the program is run.

Interpreter

Software that translates and executes a high-level program instruction by instruction immediately.

Algorithm

A set of well-defined, sequentially ordered steps for performing a task or solving a problem.

Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khwarizmi

A mathematician who lived in Baghdad from about 780 to 850, from whose name the word algorithm derives.

Flowchart

A diagrammatic representation that uses specific geometric symbols to describe the step-by-step flow of a program.

Flowchart Oval Symbol

A flowchart symbol that represents the start or end of a program.

Flowchart Rectangle Symbol

A flowchart symbol that represents a computational or processing step.

Flowchart Parallelogram Symbol

A flowchart symbol that represents an input or output operation.

Flowchart Diamond Symbol

A flowchart symbol that represents decision-making and branching.

IDLE

The interactive development environment bundled automatically with Python that lets users run Python interactively.

Hardcoding

Setting fixed values directly in code (e.g., $x = 5$) rather than getting input from the user at runtime.