Computer Science
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100 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Abnormal | Data that is totally unexpected. Ex: A string "three" instead of an integer like 3. |
| Accessor | Extracts information from an object without changing it. Usually prefixed with 'get'. |
| Address | Reference to a value or object's memory location. |
| Algorithm | Finite set of well-defined instructions for accomplishing a task - a Recipe. |
| Applet | Graphical Java program that runs in a web browser or viewer. |
| Argument | Value we pass to an object via a parameter. |
| Array | Type of object used to store groups of similar elements. |
| Assignment | Storing the right-hand value of a statement in the variable on the left side of =. |
| Asynchronous | Data transmitted in small amounts at any time. |
| Attributes | Nouns that describe an object like colors, size, name, and position. |
| Batch | Processing of data with a delay in data collection and actual data entry. |
| Behaviors | Verbs that denote the actions of an object or what it does - methods. |
| Binary | ordered search method - list is halved until required item is found. |
| Block | Set of declarations and statements between a set of curly brackets { }. |
| Boolean | Data type used to represent a single true or false value. |
| Branching | Selection based on a given condition with two outcomes, true or false. |
| Buffer | Temporary storage location of limited size. holds data waiting to be used. |
| Bus | Set of parallel wires that allow bits to be transmitted over one of the wires. |
| Casting | Changing of data type. Ex: int value into a double. Referred to as type conversion. |
| Character | Data type used for letters, digits 0...9, and punctuation symbols. |
| Class | Template used to create objects which shows features and how they behave. |
| Client | Makes requests for service on a network - printing, get files, communication. |
| Comments | used to give helpful information about a code but ignored by a computer. |
| Compiler | Converts high-level language (C++) to low level machine language (1's and 0's) |
| Concatenation | Joining two o more strings or characters together to form one string. |
| Condition | Logical expression determined to be true or false - if true execution continues. |
| Constructor | Special method creates an instance of a class executed with "new" command. |
| Control Statement | Allows a program to proceed in a non-sequential matter. Ex: if/else, switch, while. |
| Data | Testing that involves valid and invalid input - range checks. |
| Declaration | Announcement of variable or object - includes data type and identifier. |
| Dot | Notation used to externally invoke methods. It is not necessary for internal calls. |
| Efficiency | The time and RAM needed to execute an algorithm. |
| Encapsulation | The term private is used to protect (hide) data or methods which prevents access. |
| Encryption | Process of changing data so that it can't be read without a decoding key. |
| Exceptions | Information about a problem during compiling or execution. |
| Extreme | Data that lies outside the expected limits. |
| Field | Variable declared in Class body and outside all Class methods - assigned Default. |
| Final | Declaration of constant variables Pi=3.14 that should not be changed. |
| Floating Point | Data type used for any signed or unsigned number with a decimal - double. |
| Formatted | Numerical and textual values properly aligned in an output display. |
| Functional | Testing of selection constructs like switch and if/else. |
| Garbage Collector | Removes stored data from memory at the end of a program's life - Housekeeping. |
| Hertz | Speed of a computer's internal clock - measure of CPU speed in cycles per second. |
| Identifier | Name used to describe classes, methods, variables. Starts with a letter - no spaces. |
| Increment | Increases or decreases for a loop counter. Ex: i++, i--, i+=2, or i=2i+1. |
| Inheritance | One class assumes the method of another superclass or parent. |
| Initialization | Sets a variable to a value accomplished with an assignment operator (=) sign. |
| Instance | An imprint of an object having its own individual properties - field assignments. |
| Integer | Data type used for any positive or negative number without a decimal point. |
| Interpreter | Program that reads and executes one line at a time. Ex: Java Virtual Machine. |
| Local | Variable declared and used only within a method {block} or construct - No default. |
| Logic | Error caused by incorrect sequence or choice of condition. |
| Loop | used to execute a block of code repeatedly without writing it multiple times. |
| Machine | Code created by the compiler or interpreter. |
| Message | Instruction sent to a class or an object to perform a task. |
| Method | Seqence of instructions an object follows to perform a task. Behavior - Verb. |
| Modifiers | Create levels of access - public, private, static, final, and abstract. |
| Modularity | Problem broken down into smaller components. |
| Mutator | Method that alters the attributes of an object. Usually prefixed with 'set'. |
| Nesting | Placing one control statements inside another. |
| Node | Computer or peripheral (printer) connected to a network. Also element of a tree. |
| Normal | Data that lies within the expected range - includes data at the outer limits. |
| Object | Set of related variabes and methods that model abstractions of the real-world. |
| On-line | Interactive processing of data. The system must have access to stored files. |
| Operators | Symbols that stand for basic functions (+, -, /, *, %). |
| Overflow | When a calculation is made that exceeds the upper limit (largest value). |
| Overloading | Using the same method name but different type and number of parameters. |
| Parameter | Variable name that is replaced by an actual value or memory location. |
| Pass-by-reference | Parameters are assigned a memory location or address. |
| Pass-by-value | Parameters are assigned arguments. |
| Portable | Code capable of running on different operating systems - Java Bytecode. |
| Precedence | Rules that govern the order in which an expression is solved. |
| Primitive | Data types - byte, short, int, long, float, double, char and Boolean. |
| Prototype | Semi-functional system used to understand how the real one will work. |
| Queue | Data structure that accesses data in a First In - First Out method - ticket line. |
| Real-time | immediate processing of data without the intervention of humans - sensors. |
| Recursion | Repetitive behavior which involves a method calling itself. |
| Reference | Handle that points to the memory location - address of an object. |
| Return-type | Data type method will send back to user. Ex: int, double, boolean. If none, then void. |
| Runtime | Errors caused by a compiled program - รท by 0, missing file, underflow/overflow. |
| Scope | Portion of program in which variable can be used. Local vs. Field (global). |
| Sequence | Action in an algorithm flow from one step to the next. |
| Sequential | Unordered search method - each element is inspected until required item is found. |
| Server | Responds to request of service on a network - prints, sends files, internet connect. |
| Shadow | Parameter and Class field have the same identifier - use myName or better this.name. |
| Signature | The access, return type, function name, and parameters of a method. |
| Source | Code is created by a programmer in an integrated development environment (BlueJ). |
| Stack | Data structure that access data in a Last In First Out method - pile of plates. |
| Static | Variable or method that can be called without instantiating the class. |
| String | Sequence of characters enclosed in quotation marks. |
| Synchronous | Data transmitted in larger blocks in a timed manner. |
| Syntax | Errors caught while compiling - caused by misspellings and wrong punctuation. |
| Tokenize | Method that returns the next word from current line of text. |
| Trace | Recording expected outcomes (values) of each variable at each step of execution. |
| Tree | Series of nodes with left (<) and right (>) pointers. Node have max of 2 sub-nodes. |
| Underflow | When a number is close to its lower limit is divided by a number greater than 1. |
| Validation | Check data for completeness and accuracy by range, type, and/or format. |
| Verification | Check data for errors by proofreading or double entry. |
| Weighted | Check value created by multiplying each digit and then summing the products. |
| Whitespace | Spaces, tabs, newline, etc. Removed by compression algorithms. |
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