Glossary

Vocabulary is an important part of teaching and learning. In this glossary, we explain a selection of the computing-specific vocabulary.

Algorithm: A precise set of ordered steps that can be followed by a human or a computer to achieve a task.

Attribute (property): A word or a phrase that can be used to describe an object such as its colour, size, or price.

Browser: SEE: Web browser

Code: The commands that a computer can run.

Code snippet: A section of a program viewed in isolation.

Command: A single instruction that can be used in a program to control a computer.

Computer: A programmable machine that accepts and processes inputs and produces outputs (input, process, output; IPO).

Computer network: A group of interconnected computing devices.

Computer system: A combination of hardware and software that can have data input to it, which it then processes and outputs. It can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks.

Condition: A statement that can be either True or False.

Condition-controlled loop: SEE: Loop (condition-controlled).

Count-controlled loop: SEE: Loop (count-controlled).

Data: A letter, word, number etc. that has been collected for a purpose, but stored without context.

Data set: A collection of related data.

Debugging: The process of finding and correcting errors in a program.

Decompose: To break down a task into smaller, more achievable steps.

Digital device: A computer or a device with a computer inside that has been programmed for a specific task.

Domain name: The part of a website’s URL that is user friendly and identifies that it is under the control of a particular person or organisation e.g. raspberrypi.org.

Execute (run): SEE: Run

Hardware: The physical parts of a computer system.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): A standardised language used to define the structure of web pages.

Hyperlink: (Also: link, weblink) Text or media that when clicked, takes the user to another specified location (URL).

Infinite loop: SEE: Loop (infinite).

Information: Data put into a context that provides meaning.

Information technology: The study, use, and development of computer systems for storing, processing, retrieving, and sending information.

Input: Data that is sent to a program to be processed.

Input device: A piece of hardware used to control, or send data to, a computer.

Internet: The global system of interconnected computer networks.

Loop: (Count-controlled, condition-controlled, or infinite) Commands that repeatedly run a defined section of code.

Loop (condition-controlled): A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code until a condition is met.

Loop (count-controlled): A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code a predefined number of times.

Loop (infinite): A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code indefinitely.

Network: SEE: Computer network

Object: Something that can be named and has other attributes (properties), which can be labelled.

Object: Something that is uniquely identifiable and has attributes.

Output: The result of data processed by a computer.

Output device: A piece of hardware that is controlled by outputs from a computer.

Procedure: A named set of commands that can be called multiple times throughout a program. This type of subroutine does not return a value.

Process: A program, or part of a program, that is running on a computer.

Program: A set of ordered commands that can be run by a computer to complete a task.

Property (attribute): A word or a phrase that can be used to describe an object such as its colour, size, or price.

Repetition: Part of a program where one or more commands are run multiple times in a loop.

Router: A device that manages the flow of data between computer networks.

Run (execute): To action the commands in a program.

Selection: Part of a program where if a condition is met, then a set of commands is run.

Server: A networked computer that manages, stores, and provides data such as files to other computers.

Software: The programs used to control computers and perform specific tasks.

Stored (data): Data kept digitally so that it can be accessed by a computer.

Subroutine: A named sequence of commands designed to perform a specific task.

Switch (network switch): A device that manages the flow of data packets within a computer network.

Technology: The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a file on the internet.

Variable: A named piece of data (often a number or text) stored in a computer’s memory, which can be accessed and changed by a computer program.

Web: SEE: WWW (World Wide Web).

Web address: SEE: URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

Web browser: A program used to view, navigate, and interact with web pages.

Web page: A HTML document viewed using a web browser.

Website: A collection of interlinked web pages, stored under a single domain.

WiFi: A technology that allows devices to wirelessly access a network and transfer data.

WAP (Wireless Access Point): A network device that allows wireless computing devices to connect to a wired network.

WWW (World Wide Web): A service provided via the internet that allows access to web pages and other shared files.