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Computer Science Flashcards

Vocabulary for the IB Computer Science class.

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5856173AbnormalData that is totally unexpected. Ex: A string "three" instead of an integer like 3.5856173
5856174AccessorExtracts information from an object without changing it. Usually prefixed with 'get'.5856174
5856175AddressReference to a value or object's memory location.5856175
5856176AlgorithmFinite set of well-defined instructions for accomplishing a task - a Recipe.5856176
5856177AppletGraphical Java program that runs in a web browser or viewer.5856177
5856178ArgumentValue we pass to an object via a parameter.5856178
5856179ArrayType of object used to store groups of similar elements.5856179
5856180AssignmentStoring the right-hand value of a statement in the variable on the left side of =.5856180
5856181AsynchronousData transmitted in small amounts at any time.5856181
5856182AttributesNouns that describe an object like colors, size, name, and position.5856182
5856183BatchProcessing of data with a delay in data collection and actual data entry.5856183
5856184BehaviorsVerbs that denote the actions of an object or what it does - methods.5856184
5856185Binaryordered search method - list is halved until required item is found.5856185
5856186BlockSet of declarations and statements between a set of curly brackets { }.5856186
5856187BooleanData type used to represent a single true or false value.5856187
5856188BranchingSelection based on a given condition with two outcomes, true or false.5856188
5856189BufferTemporary storage location of limited size. holds data waiting to be used.5856189
5856190BusSet of parallel wires that allow bits to be transmitted over one of the wires.5856190
5856191CastingChanging of data type. Ex: int value into a double. Referred to as type conversion.5856191
5856192CharacterData type used for letters, digits 0...9, and punctuation symbols.5856192
5856193ClassTemplate used to create objects which shows features and how they behave.5856193
5856194ClientMakes requests for service on a network - printing, get files, communication.5856194
5856195Commentsused to give helpful information about a code but ignored by a computer.5856195
5856196CompilerConverts high-level language (C++) to low level machine language (1's and 0's)5856196
5856197ConcatenationJoining two o more strings or characters together to form one string.5856197
5856198ConditionLogical expression determined to be true or false - if true execution continues.5856198
5856199ConstructorSpecial method creates an instance of a class executed with "new" command.5856199
5856200Control StatementAllows a program to proceed in a non-sequential matter. Ex: if/else, switch, while.5856200
5856201DataTesting that involves valid and invalid input - range checks.5856201
5856202DeclarationAnnouncement of variable or object - includes data type and identifier.5856202
5856203DotNotation used to externally invoke methods. It is not necessary for internal calls.5856203
5856204EfficiencyThe time and RAM needed to execute an algorithm.5856204
5856205EncapsulationThe term private is used to protect (hide) data or methods which prevents access.5856205
5856206EncryptionProcess of changing data so that it can't be read without a decoding key.5856206
5856207ExceptionsInformation about a problem during compiling or execution.5856207
5856208ExtremeData that lies outside the expected limits.5856208
5856209FieldVariable declared in Class body and outside all Class methods - assigned Default.5856209
5856210FinalDeclaration of constant variables Pi=3.14 that should not be changed.5856210
5856211Floating PointData type used for any signed or unsigned number with a decimal - double.5856211
5856212FormattedNumerical and textual values properly aligned in an output display.5856212
5856213FunctionalTesting of selection constructs like switch and if/else.5856213
5856214Garbage CollectorRemoves stored data from memory at the end of a program's life - Housekeeping.5856214
5856215HertzSpeed of a computer's internal clock - measure of CPU speed in cycles per second.5856215
5856216IdentifierName used to describe classes, methods, variables. Starts with a letter - no spaces.5856216
5856217IncrementIncreases or decreases for a loop counter. Ex: i++, i--, i+=2, or i=2i+1.5856217
5856218InheritanceOne class assumes the method of another superclass or parent.5856218
5856219InitializationSets a variable to a value accomplished with an assignment operator (=) sign.5856219
5856220InstanceAn imprint of an object having its own individual properties - field assignments.5856220
5856221IntegerData type used for any positive or negative number without a decimal point.5856221
5856222InterpreterProgram that reads and executes one line at a time. Ex: Java Virtual Machine.5856222
5856223LocalVariable declared and used only within a method {block} or construct - No default.5856223
5856224LogicError caused by incorrect sequence or choice of condition.5856224
5856225Loopused to execute a block of code repeatedly without writing it multiple times.5856225
5856226MachineCode created by the compiler or interpreter.5856226
5856227MessageInstruction sent to a class or an object to perform a task.5856227
5856228MethodSeqence of instructions an object follows to perform a task. Behavior - Verb.5856228
5856229ModifiersCreate levels of access - public, private, static, final, and abstract.5856229
5856230ModularityProblem broken down into smaller components.5856230
5856231MutatorMethod that alters the attributes of an object. Usually prefixed with 'set'.5856231
5856232NestingPlacing one control statements inside another.5856232
5856233NodeComputer or peripheral (printer) connected to a network. Also element of a tree.5856233
5856234NormalData that lies within the expected range - includes data at the outer limits.5856234
5856235ObjectSet of related variabes and methods that model abstractions of the real-world.5856235
5856236On-lineInteractive processing of data. The system must have access to stored files.5856236
5856237OperatorsSymbols that stand for basic functions (+, -, /, *, %).5856237
5856238OverflowWhen a calculation is made that exceeds the upper limit (largest value).5856238
5856239OverloadingUsing the same method name but different type and number of parameters.5856239
5856240ParameterVariable name that is replaced by an actual value or memory location.5856240
5856241Pass-by-referenceParameters are assigned a memory location or address.5856241
5856242Pass-by-valueParameters are assigned arguments.5856242
5856243PortableCode capable of running on different operating systems - Java Bytecode.5856243
5856244PrecedenceRules that govern the order in which an expression is solved.5856244
5856245PrimitiveData types - byte, short, int, long, float, double, char and Boolean.5856245
5856246PrototypeSemi-functional system used to understand how the real one will work.5856246
5856247QueueData structure that accesses data in a First In - First Out method - ticket line.5856247
5856248Real-timeimmediate processing of data without the intervention of humans - sensors.5856248
5856249RecursionRepetitive behavior which involves a method calling itself.5856249
5856250ReferenceHandle that points to the memory location - address of an object.5856250
5856251Return-typeData type method will send back to user. Ex: int, double, boolean. If none, then void.5856251
5856252RuntimeErrors caused by a compiled program - ÷ by 0, missing file, underflow/overflow.5856252
5856253ScopePortion of program in which variable can be used. Local vs. Field (global).5856253
5856254SequenceAction in an algorithm flow from one step to the next.5856254
5856255SequentialUnordered search method - each element is inspected until required item is found.5856255
5856256ServerResponds to request of service on a network - prints, sends files, internet connect.5856256
5856257ShadowParameter and Class field have the same identifier - use myName or better this.name.5856257
5856258SignatureThe access, return type, function name, and parameters of a method.5856258
5856259SourceCode is created by a programmer in an integrated development environment (BlueJ).5856259
5856260StackData structure that access data in a Last In First Out method - pile of plates.5856260
5856261StaticVariable or method that can be called without instantiating the class.5856261
5856262StringSequence of characters enclosed in quotation marks.5856262
5856263SynchronousData transmitted in larger blocks in a timed manner.5856263
5856264SyntaxErrors caught while compiling - caused by misspellings and wrong punctuation.5856264
5856265TokenizeMethod that returns the next word from current line of text.5856265
5856266TraceRecording expected outcomes (values) of each variable at each step of execution.5856266
5856267TreeSeries of nodes with left (<) and right (>) pointers. Node have max of 2 sub-nodes.5856267
5856268UnderflowWhen a number is close to its lower limit is divided by a number greater than 1.5856268
5856269ValidationCheck data for completeness and accuracy by range, type, and/or format.5856269
5856270VerificationCheck data for errors by proofreading or double entry.5856270
5856271WeightedCheck value created by multiplying each digit and then summing the products.5856271
5856272WhitespaceSpaces, tabs, newline, etc. Removed by compression algorithms.5856272

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