csp semester 1 vocab

abstraction

managing complexity of displayed information by hiding or abstracting away unnecessary detail to focus on relevant ideas

digital information

data that is created by preparing for or used by computers and other electronic systems and devices. Can be stored on devices or the cloud.

number systems

how numbers are represented; i.e. which digits are used and what each place value means

number base

defines the number of digits in a number system and the base of the exponent for each place value in a number

decimal number system

a base-10 system that we use every day, consisting of the symbols 0 through 9.

binary number system

A system with two numeric values of 0 and 1, which are also referred to as off or on.

bit

A contraction of "Binary Digit". A bit is the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

ASCII

a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127

binary number system

The number system used by computers; it has only two numbers, 0 and 1, called binary digits, or bits.

pixel image

An image can be represented as a grid of values. Each value encodes the color at that position in the image.

key

a secret key converting encoded cipher text into plain text

decryption

converting encrypted data into its original form

pixel

Short for "picture element" it is the fundamental unit of a digital image, typically a tiny square or dot which contains a single point of color of a larger image.

hexadecimal

A base-16 number system that uses sixteen distinct symbols 0-9 and A-F to represent numbers from 0 to 15.

hexadecimal number system

A number system consisting of 16 distinct symbols — 0-9 and A-F — which can occur in each place value.

rgb color encoding

The RGB encoding scheme allows us to encode colors such as numeric data. It defines the amount of Red, Green, and Blue light in a pixel.

image filter

A procedure that applies a particular function to an image's pixels to change its appearance

data

information in a computer readable form

data compression

process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original to store it with less storage

lossless compression

a data compression algorithm that allows the original data to be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data.

lossy compression

data compression techniques in which some amount of data is lost. This technique attempts to eliminate redundant information.

cryptography

scrambling digital information to an unreadable form so that only those with authorization can read it

caesar cipher

a technique for encryption that shifts the alphabet by some number of characters

symmetric encryption

An encryption method whereby the same key is used to encode and to decode the message

Assymetric Encryption

used in public key encryption, it is scheme in which the key to encrypt data is different from the key to decrypt.

public key encryption

a publicly available key encrypts data but a different private key decrypts it

bit

the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications

bit rate

the number of bits transferred or received per unit of time

broadband

a wide bandwidth data transmission which transports multiple signals at a wide range of internet traffic simultaneously

bus topology

A network layout in which there is one main trunk, or backbone, that all the various computers and network devices are connected to.

cable modem

type of network bridge that connects a computer to a local broadband service

client/server model

a distributed approach in which a client makes requests of a server and the server responds

computer network

Computers connected together for the purpose of sharing information and resources

data transfer rate

The amount of data that a storage device can move from a storage medium to computer memory in one time unit, such as one second.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

A type of Internet connection that uses phone lines but transmits signals digitally across an always-open connection.

domain name

the part of a network address that identifies it as belonging to a particular domain.

domain name server

server identified using DNS that is named as translation to IP

domain name system (DNS)

the system responsible for translating domain names like example.com into IP addresses

download

copy (data) from one computer system to another, typically over the Internet.

ethernet

a system for connecting a number of computer systems to form a local area network, with protocols to control the passing of information and to avoid simultaneous transmission by two or more systems.

fault tolerant

A system designed to work when some components fail.

file server

network attached storage mat is equipped with powerful network adapters

gateway

a computer that sits between different computer networks that converts data between protocols/formats

HTTP

protocol that standardizes language for talking to web servers to send or receive webpages

internet

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

internet backbone

The main pathway of high-speed communications lines over which all Internet traffic flows.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

a group responsible for maintaining IP, DNS, and other fundamental procedures of the internet

IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)

responsible for all technical protocols of the internet protocol suite

Internet protocol

a set of rules governing the format of data sent over the Internet or other network.

Internet service provider

an organization that provides access to the internet

interoperability

the capability of two or more computer systems to share data and resources, even though they are made by different manufacturers

ip address

A number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet.

latency

the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer.

local area network

a local computer network for communication between computers

metropolitan area network

high-speed network designed to link together metropolitan size areas, campuses or school districts

MIME type

A standard for defining the format of files that are included as email attachments or on websites

net neutrality

the idea that internet providers should provide access to all websites without preference or prejudice

network address

The part of an IP address that specifies a specific network

node (host)

any device on a network

open system

system in which protocols conform to certain independent standards

open systems interconnection reference model

conceptual framework outlining the functions of a networking system

packet

A chunk of data sent over a network. Larger messages are thesethat may arrive at the destination in order, out-of-order, or not at all.

packet switching

a mode of data transmission in which a message is broken into a number of parts that are sent independently, over whatever route is optimum for each packet, and reassembled at the destination.

phone modem

converts computer data into an analog audio signal for transfer over a telephone line, and then a modem at the destination converts it back again into data

ping

send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active

port

a number assigned to uniquely identify a connection endpoint and to direct data to a service

proprietary system

A system that uses technologies kept private by a particular commercial vendor

protocol

A set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.

protocol stack

Also known as a protocol suite, multiple protocols that work together to provide a network service or application.

redundancy

providing multiple paths for traffic so that if one fails, data still flows

repeater

device used to expand the coverage area of a network; re-propagates a weak or broken signal; services remote nodes

ring topology

Topology where the computers are connected on a loop or ring. Data flows in one direction only.

router

a device that forwards data packets between computer networks

star topology

A topology with one central node that has each computer or network device attached to the central node. All data first goes into the central node and then is sent out to its destination. (Think of it like a bicycle wheel with spokes.)

TCP/IP

Protocol that connects computers to the Internet. Tells computers how to exchange information over the Internet.

top level domain

Domains (including .net, .org, .com, .mil. and the set .xx country codes) at the end of a domain name are the highest level of the domain name hierarchy.

traceroute

a utility application that monitors the network path of packet data sent to a remote computer

transmission control protocol

method of data organization that ensures secure transmission between server/client

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

The address used for locating a document on the Web.

upload

to transmit data from a computer to a bulletin board service, mainframe, or network.

user datagram protocol

A communications protocol layered on IP that is connectionless, is low latency, and does not guarantee delivery.

web server

software and hardware that uses HTTP to respond to client requests

wide area network

large network of information not limited to a geographic location or area

wireless

using radio/microwaves to transmit information without the use of physical connection