Computer Science Glossary

Computer Science Glossary Computer Science means the study of the principles and use of computers. To learn more about computer science, a good place to start is Wikipedia. For other field-related glossaries, look at the vocabulary section oft his blog. To make your own field-related glossary, click here. Activities Listen and matchMatch audio definitionsMatch terms definitionsComputer Science vocabulary card game Listening resources Careers: The Real World of Computer Programming Reading resources A Day in the Life of a Computer Operator/Programmer Role Plays Computer Science role plays for learning coding concepts Grammar resources Online ESL grammar checker Computer Science Glossary appletA small utility or other simple program, often written in Java language and attached to HTML documents. applicationAn end-user program designed to perform a specific function. arrayData saved in a sequential form on a computer system. backupThe procedure for making extra copies of data in case the original is lost or damaged. bitA binary digit, either a 0 or a 1, used to represent computerized data. blogA regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. browserA program that can display HTML files, used to navigate the World Wide Web. bufferA RAM storage location for temporary data to speed up an operation such as disk access or printing. byteEight bits. classAn extensible program-code-template for creating objects. clientA program or computer that asks for information from other programs or computers. cloud computingThe practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. compressionThe re-encoding of data into a form that uses fewer bits of information than the original data. Computer ScienceAn academic field that studies the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. cursorA movable pointer on a computer screen identifying the position that will be affected by clicking a mouse button or where typed text will be inserted. daemonA computer program that starts when a system boots that runs in the background, rather than under the direct control of a user. dataDistinct pieces of formatted information. databaseA collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. defragmentationThe process of consolidating fragmented data on a hard disk to make it work more efficiently. domain nameA name consisting of an alphabetical or alphanumeric sequence followed by a suffix and used as an Internet address to identify the location of one or more web pages. downloadThe transmission of requested data from another computer over a network. encryptionThe transformation of electronic information into an unreadable state by using algorithms or ciphers. fileA resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and remains available for other programs to use after the program that created it has finished using it. file extensionA group of letters occurring after a period in a file name, indicating the format of the file. folderA virtual location where files can be kept. hardwareA set of physical objects such as a tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and so on. iconA small picture representing an application which can be activated by clicking on it. InternetA large computer network that facilitates the exchange and transfer of data between computers. Internet service providerA company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet. kernelA program responsible for managing requests from software and translating them into data processing instructions for the central processing unit and other electronic components of a computer. memoryThe internal data storage on a computer. motherboardA printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or other device, with connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted. networkA group of computers connected to each other in order to send and receive data. Open SourceThe production and development of software by a public development community that is freely available to anyone who would like to use it or modify it for their own purposes. operating systemThe software platform required to run various applications and responsible for managing memory storage and data security. packetA portion of a message or data that is transferred over a network. peripheral deviceAny auxiliary device such as a computer mouse or keyboard that connects to and works with the computer. pixelOne point within an image. portA mainly hardware component that enables two computers to connect and share data. protocolA set of rules followed by two devices while interacting with each other. queryA request made by a computer to a database. renderThe process of using a computer program to generate an image from the information contained in a file. routerA device that forwards data packets along networks and located where two or more networks connect. scriptA list of commands that can be executed without user interaction. serverA computer or computer program that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network. social mediaOnline tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, pictures and videos in virtual online communities. softwareA program containing computer code that directs hardware to carry out a range of functions. software bugAn error or flaw in a computer program or system that causes it to behave in unintended ways. speech recognitionThe ability of a computer to identify and respond to the sounds in human speech. speech synthesisThe artificial production of human speech. support ticketA computer software package that manages and maintains lists of issues, as needed by an organization. touchscreenA display device that allows a user to interact with a computer by touching areas on the screen. upgradeA new version of a product designed to replace an older version of the same product. uploadThe transfer of data from one computer to a remote computer functioning as a server. URLThe unique resource locator address for a file that is accessible on the Internet. virtual memoryUnused memory on the hard disk employed by certain applications that need more RAM than is available. virusA program that can copy itself and corrupt the computer system or destroy data. web hostingA service that allows individuals and organizations to make their website accessible via the World Wide Web. wikiA website that allows anyone, using a web browser, to edit, delete or modify content on the site, including the work of other authors. word processorSoftware used to create, edit, format and print documents. Please follow and like us: