Computer Science Vocabulary

Computer Science

"The study of computers

Computer

"An electronic device that processes data according to instructions."

Computing

"Using computers and computational methods to solve problems."

Hardware

"The physical components of a computer system."

Software

"Programs and instructions that tell a computer what to do."

Program

"A set of instructions that a computer executes."

Application

"Software designed to perform specific tasks for users."

Operating System

"Software that manages computer hardware and provides services for applications."

CPU

"The central processing unit that executes instructions and performs calculations."

Processor

"Another name for the CPU that processes computer instructions."

Core

"An individual processing unit within a CPU."

Memory

"Hardware that temporarily or permanently stores data and instructions."

RAM

"Temporary memory used to store data and programs currently in use."

Storage

"Hardware used to save data for long-term use."

Hard Drive

"A storage device that saves data magnetically."

SSD

"A fast storage device that uses flash memory and has no moving parts."

Input

"Data or instructions entered into a computer."

Output

"Information produced by a computer after processing."

Input Device

"Hardware used to enter data into a computer."

Output Device

"Hardware used to present information from a computer."

Keyboard

"An input device used to enter text and commands."

Mouse

"A pointing device used to interact with items on a screen."

Monitor

"An output device that displays visual information."

Peripheral

"A device connected to a computer to provide additional functions."

Motherboard

"The main circuit board connecting a computer's components."

Binary

"A number system using only the digits 0 and 1."

Bit

"The smallest unit of digital data representing either 0 or 1."

Byte

"A group of eight bits."

Kilobyte

"A unit of digital information equal to approximately one thousand bytes."

Megabyte

"A unit of digital information equal to approximately one million bytes."

Gigabyte

"A unit of digital information equal to approximately one billion bytes."

Terabyte

"A unit of digital information equal to approximately one trillion bytes."

Data

"Information represented in a form that a computer can process."

Digital Data

"Information represented using discrete values such as binary digits."

Analog Data

"Information represented by continuously changing values."

Data Representation

"The way information is encoded and stored by a computer."

Encoding

"Converting information into a particular digital representation."

Decode

"Convert encoded information back into an understandable form."

ASCII

"A character encoding system representing letters numbers and symbols with numeric values."

Unicode

"A character encoding standard supporting characters from many languages."

Pixel

"The smallest individual element of a digital image."

Resolution

"The number of pixels used to represent a digital image or display."

RGB

"A color model using combinations of red green and blue."

Compression

"Reducing the amount of data needed to represent information."

Lossless Compression

"Compression that allows the original data to be reconstructed exactly."

Lossy Compression

"Compression that removes some data to create smaller files."

File

"A named collection of digital information."

File Format

"A standardized way of organizing and storing data in a file."

File Extension

"Letters at the end of a filename that identify its file type."

Folder

"A digital container used to organize files."

Directory

"A structure used by a computer to organize files and folders."

Path

"The location of a file or folder within a file system."

Algorithm

"A precise sequence of steps used to solve a problem."

Programming

"The process of designing and writing instructions for computers."

Programming Language

"A formal language used to write computer programs."

Code

"Instructions written in a programming language."

Source Code

"Human-readable instructions written by a programmer."

Machine Code

"Binary instructions that a computer's processor can execute directly."

Syntax

"The rules that determine how code must be written."

Semantics

"The meaning of instructions written in a programming language."

Statement

"A programming instruction that performs an action."

Expression

"A combination of values variables and operators that produces a result."

Variable

"A named location used to store a value that can change."

Constant

"A value that is intended not to change while a program runs."

Assignment

"Giving or storing a value in a variable."

Data Type

"A category describing the kind of value a variable can store."

Integer

"A data type representing whole numbers."

Float

"A data type representing numbers that can contain decimal values."

Boolean

"A data type with only two possible values usually true and false."

String

"A sequence of characters used to represent text."

Character

"A single letter number symbol or other text element."

Operator

"A symbol that performs an operation on one or more values."

Arithmetic Operator

"An operator used for mathematical calculations."

Comparison Operator

"An operator that compares two values."

Logical Operator

"An operator such as AND OR or NOT used with Boolean values."

Condition

"An expression that evaluates to true or false."

Conditional

"A programming structure that makes decisions based on conditions."

If Statement

"A statement that executes code when a specified condition is true."

Else Statement

"A statement that executes alternative code when an if condition is false."

If-Else Statement

"A structure that selects between actions based on a condition."

Selection

"Choosing which instructions to execute based on conditions."

Sequence

"Executing instructions in a specific order."

Iteration

"Repeating a set of instructions."

Loop

"A programming structure that repeatedly executes instructions."

For Loop

"A loop commonly used to repeat instructions a known number of times."

While Loop

"A loop that continues while a specified condition remains true."

Infinite Loop

"A loop that continues indefinitely because its stopping condition is never reached."

Nested Loop

"A loop placed inside another loop."

Counter

"A variable used to keep track of how many times something occurs."

Accumulator

"A variable used to collect or total values during a program."

Function

"A named reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task."

Procedure

"A reusable group of instructions that performs a task."

Parameter

"A variable listed in a function definition for receiving information."

Argument

"A value supplied to a function when the function is called."

Return Value

"A value sent back by a function after it completes."

Function Call

"An instruction that causes a function to execute."

Scope

"The region of a program where a variable or function can be accessed."

Local Variable

"A variable available only within a particular function or block."

Global Variable

"A variable that can be accessed from many parts of a program."

List

"An ordered collection of values."