Gaming Tech 1 Semester Vocab

acceleration	Acceleration is a change in velocity. Typically, acceleration is an increase in velocity; deceleration is a decrease in velocity.
algorithm	A complete, well-defined sequence of steps for completing a task or solving a problem.
argument	Information sent to a function that it needs to perform its action.
array	An array is a collection of variables that are given the same name and are individually referenced by an index.
binary operator	A binary operator works on two values.
Boolean	As an adjective, something described as Boolean means that it is related to George Boole. As a noun, a Boolean typically refers to a Boolean variable or expression: an expression that can only have two possibilities. These values are often expressed as true/false, one/zero, or on/off. A Boolean value is one of those two possibilities.
bug	In programming, a bug is an error in a program’s code.
canvas	In the MakeCode Arcade image editor, the canvas is the space where an image is drawn.
canvas zoom controls	The zoom controls are used to zoom in and out on the canvas.
computer	An electronic machine that can solve different problems, process data, store and retrieve data, and perform calculations.
computer program	A sequence of instructions or steps, written in a language that can be understood by a computer, that will be used by the computer to complete a task or solve a problem.
computer science	The study of the principles and use of computers.
condition	A condition is an expression which compares two things.
constant	A memory location whose contents do not change throughout the lifetime of the program. (Yes, technically, constants are a type of variable.)
control variable	In an iteration structure, a control variable is a variable that determines whether the iteration structure repeats its code or exits.
debug	A process of locating and removing computer program bugs, fixing errors or abnormalities.
debugging	The process of removing bugs from programs.
definite loop	A definite loop is an iteration structure where the number of iterations is known before the code within the loop is executed.
directional pad	Also known as the d-pad, the joypad, or the joystick, the directional pad is used by the player to move in the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west).
~~double jump~~	~~In a platform game, a double jump is the act of jumping a second time while already in the air. It allows a player to reach areas that are too high to reach with a single jump.~~
event	An event is some sort of interaction, either between the user and the program or between two elements of the program.
event handler	An event handler is a set of code that responds to an event.
extension	In MakeCode, an extension is a pre-made package that you can add to a MakeCode project to add functionality.
flag	A flag is a Boolean value stored in a variable that is used to indicate a status.
function	Reusable piece of code that performs one specific action.
function definition function header	A function’s name, parameter names, parameter types, and return type (depending on programming language).
ground tile	In a tilemap for a platform game, a ground tile is a tile on which the player can walk.
hero sprite	The hero sprite represents the player. The player usually controls the hero sprite with the controller buttons.
implementation	Code that generates a desired action (e.g., the function’s implementation).
increment	To increment a variable means to increase its value by a certain amount (e.g., to increment a variable by 1).
indefinite loop	An indefinite loop is an iteration structure where the number of iterations is not known before the code within the loop is executed.
index	When used with an array, an index is a non-negative integer that references an individual variable in an array.
infinite loop	An infinite loop is an iteration structure that has no way of exiting through its control variables.
input	Input is information that is provided by the user.
iteration	An iteration structure repeats a set of code. It is often called a loop. An iteration of a loop is a single execution (or pass) through the code contained in the loop.
millisecond	Millisecond is abbreviated ms and is ¹/₁₀₀₀ of a second (1,000 milliseconds = 1 second).
operation	An operation is some sort of manipulation of one or more values.
operator	An operator is the visual representation of an operation. For example, the plus sign (+) is the operator for the addition operation.
parameter	A piece of information that a function can use to perform its action.
placeholder	In a tilemap, a placeholder is a special tile that marks where a sprite could appear.
playground	In computer programming, a playground is a project specifically built for “play,” to try out new skills or to test a theory. It is also known as a sandbox.
programming language	A vocabulary and set of grammatical rules for instructing a computer or computing device to perform specific tasks.
refactor	To change code so that it creates the same result but does so in a different way (usually to simplify the code).
sequential search	To search through a collection (e.g., an array) in a particular order; the search stops when the item is found or when the end of the collection is reached.
simulator	In the MakeCode project editor, the simulator represents the hardware device that is being programmed in the environment. In MakeCode Arcade, the simulator represents a handheld game machine with a screen and player controls.
stepping	Stepping through code means to execute code one line or block at a time.
string	A string is a value that is not treated as a number. In MakeCode, strings are called text values.
text value	As opposed to the term string, MakeCode uses the term text value. A string variable, then, is a text variable in MakeCode.
tile	A tile is a small, regularly shaped image used in a tilemap to present an element within the game’s environment.
tilemap	A tilemap is a matrix of tiles.
variable	A variable is a named location in memory. The word variable shares a root with the verb to vary, as in to change, since the value of a variable can change throughout the lifetime of the program.
velocity	Velocity is the rate of change in the position of an object. Another word for velocity is speed.
wall	In a tilemap, walls are selected tiles through which sprites cannot pass.