SkillsUSA Computer Programming

CPU

Central processing unit - part of computer system (main memory, control unit, arithmetic-logic unit) --- contained on microprocessor

Microprocessor

constraints CPU (mini device that can perform functions of a computer's CPU)

Control unit (CU)

part of CPU that directs data flow between CPU and other devices

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

functional part of computer that performs math calculations

Bit

binary digit - single binary value (0 or 1)

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Main Memory (short term, temporary storage) - handles tasks and apps

Secondary Storage

long term storage (solid-state - USB, optical - DVD, magnetic - hard disk)

ROM

read only memory (receives data, permanently writes it on a chip)

Input/Output Devices (I/O Devices)

hardware that allows person or system to interact with computer

Interface

device or program enabling user to communicate with computer

System

Operating System - manages hardware and software (Mac, Android, Windows, etc)

Algorithm

instance of logic - way of completing a process

API (Application Programming Interface)

allows apps to talk to each other (set of definitions and protocols for building and integrations application software)

Boolean

variable that has two possible values (true or false)

Bug

error in source code

Source code

code written by programmer to be compiled

Machine code

programming language written binary that the computer can understand/ execute (programming languages are translated into machine code)

Conditional Statements

If-then statement (hypothesis followed by conclusion)

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

software that has basic tools to help programmers write and test software (editor, debugger, etc)

Latency

measure of delay (measures time it takes for data to travel across network)

Network

computers connected to communicate data electronically

Scripts

program or instructions interpreted and carried out by another program (not computer processor)

Syntax

rules that define the structure of a language

Structure Data

standardized format for providing info about a page

Compiler

program that translates programming language into machine language

Interpreter

program that directly executes instructions written in programming language

Interpreter vs Compiler

Compiler - scans entire program and translates --- Interpreter - translates one statement at a time

Variable

stores info to be referenced and manipulated in program (labels data with descriptive name)

Method

code that runs when called (function) (statements that perform a task and return result) --- can reuse code without retyping

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

programming paradigm based on the concept of data/ objects instead of functions and logic

Logic Programming

programming based on logic

Paradigm

classify programming languages based on features

Identifier

give names to different language structures (ex. Variable and data type names)

Parameter

formal argument (variable) used in a sub routine

Subroutine

instructions designed to perform a frequently used operation in a program

Function vs subroutine

function - used when value is returned --- subroutine - used when a task is needed, no value returned

Field

a single item of data contained in a column in a database

Module

program/part of a program that contains one or more routines (allow programmer to focus on one area of app)

Modular Programming

separates functionality of program into separate modules --- allows programmer to focus on one area of app at a time

Instance

specific realized variation of any object (ex. Object = animal --- instances = lion, cat dog)

Class

a blueprint for creating objects, describes one or more objects (set with common characteristics), defines set of properties and methods common to all objects of one type

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

program that enables person to communicate with computer through symbols instead of text (buttons, icons, etc)

Command Line

text interface for your computer (program that takes in demands and passes it onto the operating system to run)

Operating System

software that manages hardware, software, etc for computer programs

Argument

value passed between programs, subroutines or functions (values = independent items or variables that contain data or codes)

Constructor

special type of subroutine called to create an object (have same name as class, initialize data members of new object)

Destructor

function invoked automatically when object is destroyed/ deleted

Enumeration

complete, ordered listing of all items in set

Exception

unexpected event occurred during program execution that disrupts normal flow of program's instructions

Flow chart

diagram that shows overview of a program

Function

self-contained modules of code that accomplish specific task (take in data, process, then return) --- input → output

Functional programming

programming paradigm where programs are constructed by applying and creating functions

Routine

sequence of code intended to perform a task

Goto

statement performs a one-way transfer of control/flow to another line of code

Object

abstract data type created by developer --- defined as classes (contains diff properties, methods, objects, etc)

Procedure

independent code module/ part of program that performs a task

Source code

command (in programming language) that need to be compiled

Subclass

class derived from another class (inherits state and behavior from superclass)

Superclass

ancestor/parent class of subclasses (gives characteristics to superclass)

Subprogram

small programs written within larger program (performs specific task)

Type

set of possible values and operations (classification of data, value, operation or object)

Selection structure

performs diff processes based on result of boolean (true or false)

Control structure

analyze variables and choose directions based on parameters

Sequence

instructions executed after one another in a specific correct order (main logical structure)

Conditional flow

sequence flows that are prioritized under certain conditions (only followed in special circumstances)

Iteration

loop (sequence repeated)

Insertion sort algorithm

simple sorting algorithm - array split and sorted --- final array build one item at a time (kind of like sorting cards)

Algorithm

set of steps used to complete specific task

Bubble sort

simplest sorting algorithm --- repeatedly swaps adjacent elements one by one if they're in the wrong order (ex. 5 1 3 2 4 → 1 5 3 2 4)

Sort algorithm

arrange array in specific order (ex. Sorting by price)

Search Algorithm (binary search)

performs search on data set --- divides portion of array that could contain item in half over and over until it's narrowed down into one possibility (ex. searching for a name)

Solution Algrorithm

helps programmers solve a complex problem

Dynamic Programming

method for solving complex problem by breaking it down into subproblems

Loops

repeats sequence of instructions until specific condition is met

For (definitive)

iteration used when # of iterations is known before loop starts

While (indefinite)

block of code run until a specified condition is true (based on boolean)

Arrays

list of objects stored next to each other

One Dimensional Array

array with single index values (like a row) (accessed individually by their position)

Multidimensional Array

array with 2+ dimensions/ levels (matrix -- rows and columns)

Modularization

divides system into modules that are interchangeable (creates flexible program)

Macros

used to make sequence available to programmer as a single statement (big block of code, made into one statement)

Cohesion

determines level of dependency within various functions of a module (functions related to eachother in functionality and dependency)

Coupling

determines level of dependency within various modules of a program

Include program

used to modularize source code but have no parameter interface

Structure chart

shows breakdown of a system into its lowest manageable levels

Control Breaks

temporary diversion in running logic (records arranged in an order on basis of certain variable)

Control break logic

Mainline, Headings, Sum

Mainline

gives procedure to report -- reads list one by one and executes statements

Headings

defines sections

Sum

control break accumulator, gives output

Primitive Data Type

predefined by language

Non-Primitive Data Type (Reference Types)

refer to objects; created by programmer, not defined in language