Unit 1 Vocab

Bit

(short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1

Scripts

Different types of blocks linked together.

Blocks

Puzzle-piece shapes that are used to create code in Snap!.

Algorithm

a complete, well-defined sequence of steps for completing a task or solving a problem

Lossless Compression

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

Logic error

a mistake in the algorithm or program that causes it to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly

Binary

a numbering scheme in which there are only two possible values for each digit: 0 and 1

Heuristic

a problem-solving approach (algorithm) to find a satisfactory solution where finding an optimal or exact solution is impractical or impossible.

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

Byte

a unit of data that is eight binary digits long. Bytes are often used to represent a character such as a letter, number, space

Overflow Error

an error that occurs when calculated data cannot fit within the designated field.

Roundoff Error

error that is produced when a computer is used to perform real number calculations because many real numbers can not be represented exactly on a computer.

Tracing

hand simulating the execution of program code in order to manually verify that it works correctly

Underflow Error

occurs in a computer or similar device when a mathematical operation results in a number which is smaller than what the device is capable of storing.

Open access

online research output free of any and all restrictions on access and free of many restrictions on use, such as copyright or license restrictions

Creative Commons Public copyright license

that enables the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted work. This is used when the content creator wants to give others to right to share, use and build upon the work they have created.