TSA Study Guide#1

abstraction

The process of simplified depiction of a complex situation by hiding the irrelevant details and focusing only on the main idea.

adware

Advertising-supported software that renders advertisements for the purpose of generating revenue for its author.

agile methodology

A collaborative iterative software development process involving planning, requirement analysis, design, coding, unit testing, and acceptance testing; each iterative process is called a sprint.

algorithm

A step-by-step list of rules or instructions that specifies how to solve a given problem.

alpha testing

An early testing stage in software development.

anti-virus

A computer software or program that detects and destroys malware on a computer.

API

Application Programming Interface; part of a server that receives requests and sends a response without the end user having to leave the application.

append

To add or join data in an existing array or list.

application

A computer program that gives computer instructions.

array

A list of objects that are the same data type, where each item is called an array element.

array element

A single item in an array.

array index

The location of an array element, starting with [0,1,2…].

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange; represents characters using numeric values in a 7-bit system.

backup

An extra copy of a file or directory stored in a separate storage device for future reference.

bandwidth

A measurement of the transmission rate of data in a networking device.

beta testing

The secondary testing stage in the series of testing phases.

Big-O Notation

A measure of the time and memory needed to complete an algorithm based on the problem size known as n.

binary

A number system with the base 2, represented by a combination of 0's and 1's.

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System; pre-installed Windows programming used to startup the computer.

bit

A single and smallest unit of information stored in a computer, can be either a 0 or a 1.

bluetooth

Short range wireless connection that reaches 30 feet.

Boolean

A binary value having two possible outcomes: true/false, yes/no, on/off.

Boolean expression

A logical expression whose outcomes have two possible answers: True/False.

branching

Allows the computer to deviate from its normal algorithmic flow and continue through the code following another path.

browser

A computer application used to view HTML pages/websites.

buffer

A part of memory used for temporary storage.

bug

Denotes a fault or error in a computer program or machine.

byte

Equals 8 bits; it is a unit of storage for a single character.

capacity

The size or amount of information that can be stored in a device.

computer literacy

The knowledge of how computers operate and process data.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The brain of the computer; part that does most of the processing.

class

A template that describes the state and behaviors of objects.

click

Press the mouse button or keys of the keyboard.

clock

A remote server that stores data and can be retrieved online.

code

A symbolic representation of a program or data.

command

An instruction to the computer, usually an elementary part of a program.

compiler

A program for translating a computer program written in one language into code the computer can execute.

compiled code

Translated source code to executable or assembly code.

compression

Used to reduce the size of files to take up less memory space.

concatenation

Joining two String values together using the '+' operator.

conditional operators

Mathematical symbols used to compare two values for decision making.

constant

A value that cannot be changed by the program.

copyright

The ownership of someone's work and their right to sell or advertise it.

CyberCrime

An illegal crime done through the internet and computers.

data sanitization

The process of permanently removing data stored on a memory device for security purposes.

data type

Defines what kind of value a variable can hold.

database

An organized collection of data, files and services.

debugging

The process of identifying errors in a program and fixing them.

decompose

To break down a complex problem into smaller, simpler blocks.

decryption

The process of decoding encrypted data into a format that can be understood.

decimal

A number system with base ten, represented by digits from 0 to 9.

DeMorgan's Law

Logical equivalences involving NOT operators.

double

Numeric data type containing positive or negative decimal numbers.

encapsulation

Bundling data and methods of an object together.

encryption

The process of encoding a text into a format that only authorized parties can access.

exception

An error that occurs during runtime or compile time.

exception-handling

The process of rectifying exceptions that occur in a program.

fair use doctrine

US law permitting limited use of copyrighted material.

float

An integer variable type that has numbers on the right of the decimal point.

for loop

An iterative loop that executes a set of instructions repeatedly.

function

A procedure or module with code that can be reused.

garbage collection

The process of identifying and deleting unneeded objects or data.

gigabyte

Equals one billion bytes.

GPS

Global Positioning System; a navigation system.

GUI

Graphical User Interface; the user interface with visual aids for interaction.

hacking

The process of gaining unauthorized access to devices or programs.

hacker

A person who gains unauthorized access to a computer or network.

hardware

The physical components of a computer.

hashmap

A Java Utility for storing key and value pairs.

hexadecimal

A number system with base 16, represented by digits 0-9 and A-F.

hierarchy

A structured ranking of components in order of importance.

high-level language

Language readily written and read by humans.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol; a set of rules for transferring files over the web.

HTTPS

HTTP with a secure layer for data transfer.

IDE

Integrated Development Environment; used to develop software.

I/O

Input and output.

IP

Internet Protocol; rules used to send and receive information.

IP address

A unique identifier for each device on the Internet.

IvP4

32 bit addresses allowing for 4,294,967,296 unique IP addresses.

IvP6

128 bit addresses allowing for a massive number of unique IP addresses.

if

A conditional statement that runs if the data is true.

if-else

Compares data sets and runs instructions based on truth.

infinite loop

A set of instructions running repeatedly without termination.

inheritance

Allows new objects to take properties of existing objects.

initialize

Assigning a variable a beginning value.

instantiate

To create an object of a specific class.

integer

A numeric data type representing whole numbers.

internet

The global network of connected computers.

interpreted code

Code that is executed line by line at run time.

IoT

Internet of Things; interrelated devices exchanging information.

iteration

The repetition of a process to reach a desired goal.

Java

Object-oriented, class-based, interpreted programming language.

kilobyte

Equal to 1,000 bytes; used to measure file sizes.

library

A collection of routines or modules available for use.

loop

Part of a program that repeats a set of instructions.

lossless compression

Compression of a file without any loss of quality.

lossy compression

Compression that results in a loss of quality.

low-level language

Machine language that the machine can read.

machine language

Language consisting of binary or hexadecimals for direct computer response.

malware

Software intentionally designed to cause harm.