Midterm Review Computing Fundamentals

Program

A set of instructions that are executed sequentially to perform specific tasks.

Input

Data received by a program from sources like files, keyboards, or touchscreens.

Process

Core functionality of a program that performs computations on input data.

Output

The result generated by a program after processing input.

Variable

Symbolic names that hold data values and are used for storing and manipulating data.

Algorithm

A defined sequence of steps or instructions designed to solve a specific problem.

Flowchart

A visual representation of a program's logic and flow using symbols.

Interpreter

A program that executes statements of another program line by line.

Comment

Annotations in code that help understand the logic and purpose of the code, ignored by the compiler.

Bit

The smallest unit of data in computing, represented as either a 0 or a 1.

Byte

A unit of data consisting of 8 bits.

String Literal

A sequence of characters enclosed in double quotes representing fixed text in a program.

Loop

A program construct that repeatedly executes statements while its expression is true.

For Loop

A loop with three parts: initialization, expression, and update, used when the number of iterations is known.

While Loop

A loop that executes the body while its expression evaluates to true.

Nested Loop

A loop that appears in the body of another loop.

Input Validation

Ensures a program receives correct and expected input to prevent errors.

Sentinel-Controlled Loop

A loop that continues running until a user-defined special value signals to stop.

Array

A special variable that stores a list of data items, with each item being directly accessible.

Index

The location number of an element within an array.

Element

An individual item stored within an array.

Scalar Variable

A single-item variable, contrasting with an array.

Flow of Control

The order in which individual statements, instructions, or function calls are executed.

Whitespace

Spaces, tabs, or newlines in code that improve human readability but do not affect execution.

Character Encoding

A method of representing characters as unique bit codes, e.g., using ASCII.