Computer science key terms

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Algorythm
A step-by-step procedure to achieve a specific goal. Can be implemented with code. example: I used the quicksort algorithm to sort the array alphabetically.
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Argument
A value that is passed into a function when it is called. Arguments are said to be passed into a function, and functions are said to be take arguments. Also known as a parametre.
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Array
A type of value that contains a sequence of other values.
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Assignment
The act of putting a value into a variable.
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Brackets
Characters are often used to surround text.
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bug
a mistake in a program
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Call
To run the code in a function. Also referred to as "running", "executing" or "invoking" a function. For the noun, see function call.
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Class
A type that can be defined by the programmer. Classes are defined in order to create objects of that class.
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Comment
Used to make the program more clear to users.
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Complier
A program that converts code into an executable, and checks the syntax is correct. Sometimes compilers convert code into other code.
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Contant
A variable that never changes its value.
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Crash
To cause a running program to stop due to an error.
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Data structure
A value that contains other values.
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Debug
To investigate and fix bugs
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Declaration
Code that declares that something exists - usually a variable, function or a class. a declaration might not fully define the thing it is declaring. E.g. a constant may be declared to exist, without actually defining what it's value is.
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Definition
Code that fully implements something - usually a variable, function or a class. The code that implements a class is called the "class definition".
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Double
a float that can represent a wider range of numbers that a normal float. Short for "double - precision floating-point number"
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Execute
Synonym for run
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Executable
A program, usually a single file, ready to be run.
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Float
A type of value that represents numbers with fractional parts. Short for floating point number.
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Function
A piece of code that is not run until it is called. Functions take zero or more arguments. When a function finishes running, it returns a return value back to the code that called it.
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Function call
Code for calling a function. Function calls specify which function to call, and all of the arguments that the function requires. The result of a function call is a return value.
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Implement
to write all the code to complete something - usually a function or class.
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Instance
Synonym for object
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Instance variable
A variable that is attached to an object. Also known as a member variable" or just a member.
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Instantiate
To create an object from a class
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Integer
A type od value that represents whole numbers. For fractional numbers.
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Interpreter
A program that runs code. For languages that are not compiles, the source code is run directly by an interpreter. Compiled programming languages do not usually have an interpreter.
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invoke
Synonym for call
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Iterate
Synonym for loop
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Loop
A piece of code that runs itself repeatedly. Commonly used to run a piece of code for every value in an array.
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Member function
Synonym for method
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Member variable
Synonym for instance variable
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Method
A function that is attached to an object. Methods belong to, and are defined in, a class. Also known as a member function.
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Nested
Contained within something like itself. E.g. a nested array is an array that is inside another array and a nested class is a class defines inside the definition of another class.
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Object
A value created from a class. E.g. IF you want to represent your family in code then you might make a class called family member.
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Object oriented
Designed using objects.
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Parametre
Synonym for argument.
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Parenthesis
A type of bracket
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Procedure
Synonym for function
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Program
A full piece of software that is ready to be run. Usually an executable.
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Read
To retrieve input data values from an external source
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Return
To immediately stop a called function from running, possibly providing a return value. A function automatically returns once all of its code has been run.
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Return value
The value that results from a completed function call.
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Run
To perform the instructions written in code or an executable. Code is set of instructions, and "running" code os when the computer actually performs those instructions.
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String
A type of value that represents text. The word "string" derives from the phrase "string of characters".
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Syntax
oThe grammatical rules of a programming language has a different syntax. Syntax determines whether code is written correctly or incorrectly.
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Type
The kind of category of a value. Every value has a type.
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Syntax
The grammatical rules of programming language
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Type
The kind of category of a value.
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Value
A piece of data that be be contained inside a variable
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Variable
a named container for a single value.
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The difference between functions and procedures
Basic Differences. A Function must return a value but in Stored Procedures it is optional: a procedure can return 0 or n values. Functions can have only input parameters for it, whereas procedures can have input/output parameters.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

A value that is passed into a function when it is called. Arguments are said to be passed into a function, and functions are said to be take arguments. Also known as a parametre.

Back

Argument

Card 3

Front

A type of value that contains a sequence of other values.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The act of putting a value into a variable.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Characters are often used to surround text.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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