Vocabulary for the IB Computer Science class.
5856173 | Abnormal | Data that is totally unexpected. Ex: A string "three" instead of an integer like 3. | 5856173 | |
5856174 | Accessor | Extracts information from an object without changing it. Usually prefixed with 'get'. | 5856174 | |
5856175 | Address | Reference to a value or object's memory location. | 5856175 | |
5856176 | Algorithm | Finite set of well-defined instructions for accomplishing a task - a Recipe. | 5856176 | |
5856177 | Applet | Graphical Java program that runs in a web browser or viewer. | 5856177 | |
5856178 | Argument | Value we pass to an object via a parameter. | 5856178 | |
5856179 | Array | Type of object used to store groups of similar elements. | 5856179 | |
5856180 | Assignment | Storing the right-hand value of a statement in the variable on the left side of =. | 5856180 | |
5856181 | Asynchronous | Data transmitted in small amounts at any time. | 5856181 | |
5856182 | Attributes | Nouns that describe an object like colors, size, name, and position. | 5856182 | |
5856183 | Batch | Processing of data with a delay in data collection and actual data entry. | 5856183 | |
5856184 | Behaviors | Verbs that denote the actions of an object or what it does - methods. | 5856184 | |
5856185 | Binary | ordered search method - list is halved until required item is found. | 5856185 | |
5856186 | Block | Set of declarations and statements between a set of curly brackets { }. | 5856186 | |
5856187 | Boolean | Data type used to represent a single true or false value. | 5856187 | |
5856188 | Branching | Selection based on a given condition with two outcomes, true or false. | 5856188 | |
5856189 | Buffer | Temporary storage location of limited size. holds data waiting to be used. | 5856189 | |
5856190 | Bus | Set of parallel wires that allow bits to be transmitted over one of the wires. | 5856190 | |
5856191 | Casting | Changing of data type. Ex: int value into a double. Referred to as type conversion. | 5856191 | |
5856192 | Character | Data type used for letters, digits 0...9, and punctuation symbols. | 5856192 | |
5856193 | Class | Template used to create objects which shows features and how they behave. | 5856193 | |
5856194 | Client | Makes requests for service on a network - printing, get files, communication. | 5856194 | |
5856195 | Comments | used to give helpful information about a code but ignored by a computer. | 5856195 | |
5856196 | Compiler | Converts high-level language (C++) to low level machine language (1's and 0's) | 5856196 | |
5856197 | Concatenation | Joining two o more strings or characters together to form one string. | 5856197 | |
5856198 | Condition | Logical expression determined to be true or false - if true execution continues. | 5856198 | |
5856199 | Constructor | Special method creates an instance of a class executed with "new" command. | 5856199 | |
5856200 | Control Statement | Allows a program to proceed in a non-sequential matter. Ex: if/else, switch, while. | 5856200 | |
5856201 | Data | Testing that involves valid and invalid input - range checks. | 5856201 | |
5856202 | Declaration | Announcement of variable or object - includes data type and identifier. | 5856202 | |
5856203 | Dot | Notation used to externally invoke methods. It is not necessary for internal calls. | 5856203 | |
5856204 | Efficiency | The time and RAM needed to execute an algorithm. | 5856204 | |
5856205 | Encapsulation | The term private is used to protect (hide) data or methods which prevents access. | 5856205 | |
5856206 | Encryption | Process of changing data so that it can't be read without a decoding key. | 5856206 | |
5856207 | Exceptions | Information about a problem during compiling or execution. | 5856207 | |
5856208 | Extreme | Data that lies outside the expected limits. | 5856208 | |
5856209 | Field | Variable declared in Class body and outside all Class methods - assigned Default. | 5856209 | |
5856210 | Final | Declaration of constant variables Pi=3.14 that should not be changed. | 5856210 | |
5856211 | Floating Point | Data type used for any signed or unsigned number with a decimal - double. | 5856211 | |
5856212 | Formatted | Numerical and textual values properly aligned in an output display. | 5856212 | |
5856213 | Functional | Testing of selection constructs like switch and if/else. | 5856213 | |
5856214 | Garbage Collector | Removes stored data from memory at the end of a program's life - Housekeeping. | 5856214 | |
5856215 | Hertz | Speed of a computer's internal clock - measure of CPU speed in cycles per second. | 5856215 | |
5856216 | Identifier | Name used to describe classes, methods, variables. Starts with a letter - no spaces. | 5856216 | |
5856217 | Increment | Increases or decreases for a loop counter. Ex: i++, i--, i+=2, or i=2i+1. | 5856217 | |
5856218 | Inheritance | One class assumes the method of another superclass or parent. | 5856218 | |
5856219 | Initialization | Sets a variable to a value accomplished with an assignment operator (=) sign. | 5856219 | |
5856220 | Instance | An imprint of an object having its own individual properties - field assignments. | 5856220 | |
5856221 | Integer | Data type used for any positive or negative number without a decimal point. | 5856221 | |
5856222 | Interpreter | Program that reads and executes one line at a time. Ex: Java Virtual Machine. | 5856222 | |
5856223 | Local | Variable declared and used only within a method {block} or construct - No default. | 5856223 | |
5856224 | Logic | Error caused by incorrect sequence or choice of condition. | 5856224 | |
5856225 | Loop | used to execute a block of code repeatedly without writing it multiple times. | 5856225 | |
5856226 | Machine | Code created by the compiler or interpreter. | 5856226 | |
5856227 | Message | Instruction sent to a class or an object to perform a task. | 5856227 | |
5856228 | Method | Seqence of instructions an object follows to perform a task. Behavior - Verb. | 5856228 | |
5856229 | Modifiers | Create levels of access - public, private, static, final, and abstract. | 5856229 | |
5856230 | Modularity | Problem broken down into smaller components. | 5856230 | |
5856231 | Mutator | Method that alters the attributes of an object. Usually prefixed with 'set'. | 5856231 | |
5856232 | Nesting | Placing one control statements inside another. | 5856232 | |
5856233 | Node | Computer or peripheral (printer) connected to a network. Also element of a tree. | 5856233 | |
5856234 | Normal | Data that lies within the expected range - includes data at the outer limits. | 5856234 | |
5856235 | Object | Set of related variabes and methods that model abstractions of the real-world. | 5856235 | |
5856236 | On-line | Interactive processing of data. The system must have access to stored files. | 5856236 | |
5856237 | Operators | Symbols that stand for basic functions (+, -, /, *, %). | 5856237 | |
5856238 | Overflow | When a calculation is made that exceeds the upper limit (largest value). | 5856238 | |
5856239 | Overloading | Using the same method name but different type and number of parameters. | 5856239 | |
5856240 | Parameter | Variable name that is replaced by an actual value or memory location. | 5856240 | |
5856241 | Pass-by-reference | Parameters are assigned a memory location or address. | 5856241 | |
5856242 | Pass-by-value | Parameters are assigned arguments. | 5856242 | |
5856243 | Portable | Code capable of running on different operating systems - Java Bytecode. | 5856243 | |
5856244 | Precedence | Rules that govern the order in which an expression is solved. | 5856244 | |
5856245 | Primitive | Data types - byte, short, int, long, float, double, char and Boolean. | 5856245 | |
5856246 | Prototype | Semi-functional system used to understand how the real one will work. | 5856246 | |
5856247 | Queue | Data structure that accesses data in a First In - First Out method - ticket line. | 5856247 | |
5856248 | Real-time | immediate processing of data without the intervention of humans - sensors. | 5856248 | |
5856249 | Recursion | Repetitive behavior which involves a method calling itself. | 5856249 | |
5856250 | Reference | Handle that points to the memory location - address of an object. | 5856250 | |
5856251 | Return-type | Data type method will send back to user. Ex: int, double, boolean. If none, then void. | 5856251 | |
5856252 | Runtime | Errors caused by a compiled program - ÷ by 0, missing file, underflow/overflow. | 5856252 | |
5856253 | Scope | Portion of program in which variable can be used. Local vs. Field (global). | 5856253 | |
5856254 | Sequence | Action in an algorithm flow from one step to the next. | 5856254 | |
5856255 | Sequential | Unordered search method - each element is inspected until required item is found. | 5856255 | |
5856256 | Server | Responds to request of service on a network - prints, sends files, internet connect. | 5856256 | |
5856257 | Shadow | Parameter and Class field have the same identifier - use myName or better this.name. | 5856257 | |
5856258 | Signature | The access, return type, function name, and parameters of a method. | 5856258 | |
5856259 | Source | Code is created by a programmer in an integrated development environment (BlueJ). | 5856259 | |
5856260 | Stack | Data structure that access data in a Last In First Out method - pile of plates. | 5856260 | |
5856261 | Static | Variable or method that can be called without instantiating the class. | 5856261 | |
5856262 | String | Sequence of characters enclosed in quotation marks. | 5856262 | |
5856263 | Synchronous | Data transmitted in larger blocks in a timed manner. | 5856263 | |
5856264 | Syntax | Errors caught while compiling - caused by misspellings and wrong punctuation. | 5856264 | |
5856265 | Tokenize | Method that returns the next word from current line of text. | 5856265 | |
5856266 | Trace | Recording expected outcomes (values) of each variable at each step of execution. | 5856266 | |
5856267 | Tree | Series of nodes with left (<) and right (>) pointers. Node have max of 2 sub-nodes. | 5856267 | |
5856268 | Underflow | When a number is close to its lower limit is divided by a number greater than 1. | 5856268 | |
5856269 | Validation | Check data for completeness and accuracy by range, type, and/or format. | 5856269 | |
5856270 | Verification | Check data for errors by proofreading or double entry. | 5856270 | |
5856271 | Weighted | Check value created by multiplying each digit and then summing the products. | 5856271 | |
5856272 | Whitespace | Spaces, tabs, newline, etc. Removed by compression algorithms. | 5856272 |