Computer Science

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

"Brain" of the computer that performs instructions defined by software

F.A.I.L

First Attempt In Learning

crowdsourcing

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

Machine Language

Programs written in binary code

fiber optic cable

A connection that uses light to transmit information.

Power Supply

A device that provides power to a computer.

algorithm

A list of steps to finish a task.

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.

abstraction

A simplified representation of something more complex.

event

An action that causes something to happen.

bug

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

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 programming elements, rather than writing code using text.

Wireless Network

Any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind.

decompose

Break a problem down into smaller pieces.

drag

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

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.

define (a function)

Figure out the details of the problems that you are trying to solve.

debugging

Finding and fixing problems in an algorithm or program.

Binary Code

Groupings of 1's and 0's that makes information that a computer can understand.

computational thinking

Modifying a problem in such a way that it can be modeled or solved using a computer or machine. Strategies include: decomposition, pattern matching, abstraction, algorithms.

Software

Set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

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.

call (a variable)

Use a variable in a program.

Storage

a process through which digital data is saved

Output Device

device that projects images, gives sound, and basically gives out the info from the computer so the user can obtain it (ex: monitor, printer, projector, speakers)

Processing

perform a series of mechanical or chemical operations on (something) in order to change or preserve it.

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.

data

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

Hardware

Physical elements of a computing systems (printer, circuit boards, wires, keyboard, etc)

double-click

Press the mouse button very quickly two times.

click

Press the mouse button.

Motherboard

Printed circuit board on which the CPU, RAM chips and other electronic circuit elements of a digital computer are frequently located.

RAM

Random Access Memory - temporary place to store material that works quickly. erased when computer turns off. Volatile.

drop

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

Operating System (OS)

Software used to control the computer and its peripheral equipment.

digital citizen

Someone who acts safely, responsibly, and respectfully online.

conditionals

Statements that only run under certain conditions.

Hard Drive

Storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating rigid disks with magnetic surfaces. The device is either permanently installed within the computer case or can be portable

code

The language that programmers create and use to tell a computer what to do.

byte

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

DNS (domain name service)

The service that translates URLs to IP addresses.

Blockly

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

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.

computer science

Using the power of computers to solve problems.

Input Device

device used to insert data into a computer or other device (ex: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, voice recognition)