Computer Science Fundamentals

fiber optic cable

A connection that uses light to transmit information.

bit

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

Internet

A group of computers and servers that are connected to each other.

algorithm

A list of steps to finish a task. A set of instructions that can be performed with or without a computer. For example, the collection of steps to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is an algorithm.

website

A location connected to the Internet that maintains one or more pages on the World Wide Web.

while loop

A loop that continues to repeat while a condition is true.

for loop

A loop with a predetermined beginning, end, and increment (step interval).

DSL/cable

A method of sending information using telephone or television cables.

event-handler

A monitor for a specific event or action on a computer. When you write code for an event handler, it will be executed every time that event or action occurs. Many event-handlers respond to human actions such as mouse clicks.

username

A name you make up so that you can see or do things on a website, sometimes called a "screen name."

IP address

A number assigned to any item that is connected to the Internet.

function

A piece of code that you can easily call over and over again. Functions are sometimes called 'procedures.' A function definition is a segment of code that includes the steps performed in the function. A function call is the code segment, typically within the main logic of the program, which invokes the function.

variable

A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.

search engine

A program that searches for and identifies items in a database that correspond to keywords or characters specified by the user, used especially for finding particular sites on the World Wide Web.

URL (universal resource locator)

A relatively easy-to-remember address for calling a web page (like www.code.org).

iteration

A repetitive action or command typically created with programming loops.

binary

A way of representing information using only two options.

output

A way to get information out of a computer.

input

A way to give information to a computer.

Wi-Fi

A wireless method of sending information using radio waves.

trustworthy

Able to be relied on as honest or truthful.

event

An action that causes something to happen.

program

An algorithm that has been coded into something that can be run by a machine.

bug

An error in a program that prevents the program from running as expected.

Parameter

An extra piece of information that you pass to the function to customize it for a specific need.

command

An instruction for the computer. Many commands put together make up algorithms and computer programs.

block-based programming language

Any programming language that lets users create programs by manipulating "blocks" or graphical programing elements, rather than writing code using text. Examples include Code Studio, Scratch, Blockly, and Swift. (Sometimes called visual coding, drag and drop programming, or graphical programming blocks)

try

Attempt to do something

decompose

Break a problem down into smaller pieces.

run program

Cause the computer to execute the commands you've written in your program.

drag

Click your mouse button and hold as you move the mouse pointer to a new location

servers

Computers that exist only to provide things to others.

online

Connected to the internet.

cyberbullying

Doing something on the internet, usually again and again, to make another personal feel angry, sad, or scared.

frustrated

Feeling annoyed or angry because something is not the way you want it.

debugging

Finding and fixing errors in programs.

pattern matching

Finding similarities between things.

F.A.I.L

First Attempt In Learning

crowdsourcing

Getting help from a large group of people to finish something faster.

data

Information. Often, quantities, characters, or symbols that are the inputs and outputs of computer programs.

computational thinking

Mental processes and strategies that include: decomposition, pattern matching, abstraction, algorithms (decomposing problems into smaller, more manageable problems, finding repeating patterns, abstracting specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems, and creating step-by-step algorithms).

code

One or more commands or algorithm(s) designed to be carried out by a computer.

double-click

Press the mouse button twice very quickly

click

Press the mouse button.

abstraction

Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems.

drop

Release your mouse button to "let go" of an item that you are dragging

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.

packets

Small chunks of information that have been carefully formed from larger chunks of information.

digital citizen

Someone who acts safely, responsibly, and respectfully online.

conditionals

Statements that only run under certain conditions or situations.

loop

The action of doing something over and over again.

programming

The art of creating a program.

function definition

The code inside a function that instructs the program on what to do when the function is called.

if-statement

The common programming structure that implements "conditional statements".

accessibility

The design of products, devices, services, or environments taking into consideration the ability for all users to access, including people who experience disabilities or those who are limited by older or slower technology.

digital footprint

The information about someone on the Internet.

function call

The piece of code that you add to a program to indicate that the program should run the code inside a function at a certain time.

DNS (domain name service)

The service that translates URLs to IP addresses.

toolbox

The tall grey bar in the middle section of Code.org's online learning system that contains all of the commands you can use to write your program.

binary alphabet

The two options used in your binary code.

Blockly

The visual programming language used in Code.org's online learning system for K-5 students.

workspace

The white area on the right side of Code.org's online learning system where you drag and drop commands to build your program.

call (a function)

This is the piece of code that you add to a program to indicate that the program should run the code inside a function at a certain time.

define (a function)

To add code inside a function so that the program knows what it is supposed to do when the function is called.

repeat

To do something again.

persistence

Trying again and again, even when something is very hard.

call (a variable)

Use a variable in a program.

computer science

Using the power of computers to solve problems.

byte

the most common fundamental unit of digital data eg. Kilobyte, Megabyte, etc. A single byte is 8 bits-worth of data.