Master Vocabulary List Flashcards
(87 cards)
Bit
A contraction of “Binary Digit”; the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1
Byte
8 bits
Overflow Error
Error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.
Round-off Error
Error from attempting to represent a number that is too precise. The value is rounded.
Analog Data
Data with values that change continuously, or smoothly, over time. Some examples of analog data include music, colors of a painting, or position of a sprinter during a race.
Digital Data
Data that changes discreetly through a finite set of possible values
Sampling
A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring the analog data at regular intervals called samples.
Lossless Compression
A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something without losing any information. This process is reversible.
Lossy Compression
A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something in which some information is lost or thrown away. This process is not reversible.
Computing Device
a machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors
Computing System
a group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose
Computing Network
a group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.
Path
the series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.
Bandwidth
the maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.
Protocol
An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of some system
IP Address
The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.
Internet Protocol (IP)
a protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device
Router
A type of computer that forwards data across a network
Redundancy
the inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail, for example by having more than one path between any two connected devices in a network.
Fault Tolerant
Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures. This is important because elements of complex systems like a computer network fail at unexpected times, often in groups.
User Interface
the inputs and outputs that allow a user to interact with a piece of software. User interfaces can include a variety of forms such as buttons, menus, images, text, and graphics.
Input
data that are sent to a computer for processing by a program. Can come in a variety of forms, such as tactile interaction, audio, visuals, or text.
Output
any data that are sent from a program to a device. Can come in a variety of forms, such as tactile interaction, audio, visuals, or text.
Program Statement
a command or instruction. Sometimes also referred to as a code statement.