Computer Programming Fundamentals Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 1, 2, and 3 review questions and exercises, including computer hardware, software, programming fundamentals, Python basics, and decision structures.

Program

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

Hardware

The physical devices that a computer is made of.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The part of a computer that runs programs and processes all instructions.

Microprocessor

Small chips that today's CPUs are known as.

Main Memory

Where the computer stores a program while it is running, as well as the data that the program is working with.

Volatile Memory

Memory used only for temporary storage while a program is running.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A volatile type of memory used for temporary storage while a program is running; also known as main memory.

Secondary Storage

A type of memory that can hold data for long periods of time, even when there is no power to the computer.

Input Device

A component that collects data from people or other devices and sends it to the computer.

Output Device

A component that displays data to people or sends it to other devices, such as a video display.

Byte

Enough memory to store a letter of the alphabet or a small number, made up of eight bits.

Bit

The smallest unit of information in a computer; represents a value of 1 when 'on' and 0 when 'off'.

Binary Numbering System

A system where all numeric values are written as sequences of 0s and 1s.

ASCII

A set of 128 numeric codes that represent English letters, various punctuation marks, and other characters.

Unicode

An extensive encoding scheme that can represent characters for many languages in the world.

Two’s Complement

The technique used to encode negative numbers in a computer.

Floating Point

The technique used to encode real (decimal) numbers in a computer.

Pixels

The tiny dots of color that digital images are composed of.

Machine Language Program

A program composed of a stream of binary numbers, which is the only language a CPU understands.

Decode (Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle)

The part of the CPU cycle where the CPU determines which operation it should perform.

Assembler

A program that translates an assembly language program to a machine language program.

Keywords

The words that make up a high-level programming language.

Syntax

The rules that must be followed when writing a program.

Compiler

A program that translates an entire high-level language program into a separate machine language program before execution.

Interpreter

A program that translates and executes instructions in a high-level language one line at a time.

Operating System

Software that controls internal operations of hardware (e.g., Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS).

Application Software

Programs designed for specific tasks (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, email, browsers, games).

Digital Device

A device that works with binary data.

Mnemonics

Short words used in assembly language.

Guido van Rossum

The creator of the Python programming language.

BDFL ('Benevolent Dictator For Life')

Title given to Guido van Rossum as Python’s creator and long-time leader.

Logic Error

An error that does not prevent a program from running but causes it to produce incorrect results.

Software Requirement

A single function that a program must perform to satisfy the customer.

Algorithm

A set of well-defined logical steps that must be taken to perform a task.

Pseudocode

An informal language that has no syntax rules and is not meant to be compiled or executed, used to describe program logic.

Flowchart

A diagram that graphically depicts the steps that take place in a program.

String

A sequence of characters.

Variable

A name that references a value in the computer’s memory.

User

Any hypothetical person using a program and providing input for it.

String Literal (Python)

A sequence of characters enclosed in either single-quotes or double-quotes.

Comments

Short notes placed in different parts of a program explaining how those parts of the program work, beginning with '#' in Python.

Assignment Statement

A statement that makes a variable reference a value in the computer’s memory.

Operands

The values on the right and left of an operator in an expression (e.g., 12 and 7 in 12 + 7).

Integer Division Operator (//)

Performs division and returns only the integer part (discards the fractional part).

Exponentiation Operator (**)

Raises a number to a power.

Modulo Operator (%)

Performs division but returns the remainder instead of the quotient.

Float Data Type

A data type used for numbers that contain a decimal point.

Input() Function

A built-in Python function used to read input that has been typed on the keyboard.

Float() Function

A built-in Python function used to convert a value to a float data type.

Magic Number

An unexplained, hard-coded value that appears in a program’s code; problematic because it reduces readability and makes maintenance harder.

Named Constant

A name that represents a value that does not change during the program’s execution, improving readability and making updates easier.

Operator Precedence

The rules determining the order in which operators in a math expression are evaluated (e.g., multiplication/division before addition/subtraction).

Decision Structure

A control structure that executes a set of statements only under certain circumstances based on a condition.

Single Alternative Decision Structure

A decision structure that provides one alternative path of execution if a condition is true.

Boolean Expression

An expression that has a value of either True or False.

Relational Operators

Symbols used to compare two values, such as >, <, and ==.

Dual Alternative Decision Structure

A decision structure that tests a condition and then takes one path if the condition is true, or another if false.

If Statement

A statement used to write a single alternative decision structure in Python.

If-Else Statement

A statement used to write a dual alternative decision structure in Python.

Logical Operators

Operators used to combine Boolean expressions, including 'and', 'or', and 'not'.

And Operator

A logical operator that makes a compound Boolean expression true only if both subexpressions are true.

Or Operator

A logical operator that makes a compound Boolean expression true if either subexpression is true.

Not Operator

A logical operator that takes a Boolean expression and reverses its logical value.

Flag

A Boolean variable (True/False) that signals when some condition exists or has occurred in a program.

Conditionally Executed Statements

Statements that run only when a specific condition is true.