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CS10 Master List
Master vocabulary list for CS10: Introduction to Computer Science
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| decomposition | breaking a problem down into smaller, more specific tasks |
| pattern recognition | analyzing data to find similar things happening over and over |
| abstraction | removing anything but the key details from a problem |
| algorithm design | finite, step-by-step instructions to complete a task |
| debugging (computational thinking) | looking at individual components to try to fix a problem trying one thing at a time |
| hardware | physical components of a computer system |
| software | non-physical components of a computer system; programs that users interact with through hardware |
| input (hardware) | hardware that puts data into a computer (keyboard, mouse, etc.) |
| output (hardware) | hardware that puts data out of a computer (monitor, speakers, etc.) |
| CPU (processor) | hardware that serves as the brain of a computer, completes one task per core at a time very quickly |
| GPU (graphics processing unit) | hardware that is a specialized processor that makes the visual outputs of a computer |
| RAM (random access memory) | hardware that serves as short-term memory; stores information the processor needs to complete tasks |
| NIC (network interface card) | hardware that translates data so that it can be sent over a network |
| SSD (solid state drive) | hardware that stores information long-term; fast, but expensive and smaller capacity |
| HDD (hard disk drive) | hardware that stores information long-term; slow, but cheap and higher capacity |
| router | networking hardware that forwards data across a network |
| switch | networking hardware that moves data in a local network |
| internet tower | networking hardware that sends and receives wireless signals |
| server | networking hardware that stores data so it can be accessed by other computers that connect to it |
| ip address | a unique identifier that guides traffic to specific locations on networks |
| bit | the smallest unit of data in computing; 1 or 0 |
| byte | eight bits; can store a single text character |
| packet | a small amount of data that is combined with other packets to create a complete transmission across a network |
| header | part of a packet that contains routing information like the destination and sequence |
| payload | the main part of a packet that contains a message or part of one |
| TCP | Transmission Control Protocol; prioritizes quality/accuracy in transmitting data across a network |
| UDP | User Datagram Protocol; prioritizes speed in transmitting data across a network |
| protocol | a set of rules for transmitting data across a network |
| phishing | a scam, usually delivered by email or message, that tries to trick someone into giving up personal information (like a password) by pretending to be a trustworthy source. |
| 2FA | two-factor authentication - a login process that requires two separate proofs of identity (like a password AND a code sent to your phone) instead of just one. |
| virtual private network | Virtual Private Network - a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a separate server, making it harder for others to see what you're doing online |
| DNS | domain name service- translates human-friendly website names (like www.google.com) into numerical IP addresses (like 8.8.8.8) and vice versa |
| hypertext transfer protocol | HTTP - allows computers to request and share web content, like web page text, images, and videos. |
| GET request | a request your computer sends over the internet to receive information from a website or server |
| POST request | information your computer transmits to websites or servers when you are submitting information to fill out a form or perform a search |
| FTP | file transfer protocol- rules for sending files between computers or between clients and servers |
| IPv4 | internet protocol version 4; an older protocol for ip addressing; maxes out around 4.3 billion addresses |
| IPv6 | internet protocol version 6; a newer protocol for ip addressing; maxes out around 340 undecillion addresses |
| bandwidth | the maximum amount of data that can travel across a connection at once |
| latency | the delay between sending a request on a network and getting a response |
| data streams | data delivered continuously as a steady flow |
| cloud storage | files stored on remote servers owned by a company, reachable from any device with a connection |
| metadata | part of a packet that contains routing information like the destination and sequence |
| body | the main part of a packet that contains a message or part of one |
| malware | any software specifically designed to damage a device, steal data, or gain unauthorized access |
| virus | a type of malware that runs on a computer after a user opens it or tells it to run |
| worm | a type of malware that spreads on infected devices without user action |
| trojan | a type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software; it does what you expect, but in the background it does something else you're not aware of |
| ransomware | a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment in exchange for unlocking them |
| spyware | a type of malware that secretly monitors and records a user's activity without their knowledge |
| DDoS | distributed denial of service - an attack that floods a server with enormous amounts of traffic from many devices at once until it can't respond |
| man-in-the-middle | an attacker secretly positions themselves between two parties and intercepts the data passing between them |
| SQL injection | typing specially crafted code into a website's input field to make its database reveal or change data |
| social engineering | manipulating people into giving up information or access, rather than breaking through technology |
| firewall | hardware or software that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks unauthorized connections |
| antivirus | software that removes viruses and other malware once it has already been installed on a device |
| encryption | scrambling data into a form that cannot be read without the correct key |
| end-to-end encryption | encryption where only the sender and the intended recipient can read the message - nobody in between |
| biometrics | authentication using physical characteristics - fingerprint, face, or voice |
| access control | limiting which people can view or change which data - giving each person only the access they actually need |
| phishing warning signs | sender address doesn't match the real organization; false urgency or threats; generic greeting instead of your name; spelling and grammar errors |
| structured data | data that is organized into a predictable format, like rows and columns |
| data | any piece of information that can be collected, stored, and analyzed |
| unstructured data | data that does not have any predefined format |
| structured data collection | data that is collected using forms, surveys, computer systems, or sensors |
| unstructured data collection | data that is collected from social media, |
| local storage | data stored locally is on a physical device that the user controls |
| =COUNTIF | a spreadsheet function that counts data in a range based on a given criterion |
| =AVERAGE | a spreadsheet function that shows the average value of a range of number data |
| tape storage | high-capacity, low cost technology for long-term local data storage |
| NAS | network attached storage; allows you to store data on a special storage device attached to your local network; no cloud subscription necessary |
| bar graph/chart | a type of data visualization that is useful for comparing things by one value |
| line graph/chart | a type of data visualization that is useful for measuring change over time |
| pie graph/chart | a type of data visualization that is useful for visualizing percentages |
| histogram | a type of data visualization that lets you condense lots of data into a few ranges |
| scatter plot | a type of data that is useful for comparing items based on two criteria OR that is useful for looking for correlations between two values |
| data privacy | the right of individuals to control who can see or use their personal data |
| data security | the practical measures used to protect data from unauthorized access |
| informed conset | making sure people know what data is being collected about them and agree to it before it's collected |
| bias | when data, or the way it's collected, unfairly favors or underrepresents certain people or groups |
| fairness | making sure data and the decisions made from it treat people equitably |
| transparency | being open about what data is collected, how, and why |
| data ownership | the question of who has rights to data |
| data accuracy | making sure data is correct, complete, and up-to-date before using it to make decisions |
| ethical data sharing | sharing data only with the right people, for the right reasons, with appropriate permission |
| data misuse | using data for something other than its intended purpose - using it in a way people didn't agree with |
| data type | tells the computer what kind of value is being stored |
| variable | a named storage location for a value that can change while the program runs |
| string | variable - a sequence of characters that is always written inside quotation marks |
| integer | variable - a whole number with no decimal point |
| float | variable - a number with a decimal point |
| boolean | variable - has one of only two values: TRUE or FALSE |
| naming conventions | the rules and habits for naming variables |
| declare variable | to create a variable and give it a name |
| initialize variable | to give a variable its starting value |
| assign value | to store a new value in a variable using the = sign |
| constant | a value that does not change while the program runs. Its name is usually written in ALL CAPS. |
| scope | the part of a program where a variable can be used |
| local variable | a variable that is created inside a function and only exists in that function |
| global variable | a variable that is created outside any function and can be used anywhere in the program |
| debugging (programming) | finding and fixing errors in a program |
| journaling | keeping a written record of problems, what you tried, and how you fixed them |
| comment | // a note in code that the computer ignores when running the program |
| function | a self-contained, reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task |
| code body | the code inside a function that is run when the function is called |
| define function | writing out the code for a function |
| call function | executing a function that has previously been defined |
| console.log() | the command that prints text to the console |
| console | the area where a program's output appears |
| let | the keyword that declares a new variable |
| const | the keyword that declares a new constant |
| concatenation | joining strings together with a + symbol |
| parameter | a variable in a function’s definition that receives a value when the function is called |
| return | a statement that ends a function and sends a value back to the place where the function was called |
| argument | the value passed into a function that replaces a parameter when the function is called |
| readLine, readInt, readBoolean, readFloat | commands that ask the user for input |