Computer Science 120 Terms

Computer Science Terms and Definitions

• 256: Represents 2 to the 8th power; the number of distinct numbers storable in a byte, ranging from 0 to 255.
• AI (Artificial Intelligence): The branch of computer science focusing on creating programs to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence.
• ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a 7-bit character coding scheme where each letter is assigned a binary value.
• Abstraction: The process of simplifying complex systems by focusing on the most relevant features, omitting unnecessary details.
• Address: Refers to a specific location in memory or an identification allowing access to digital resources like internet addresses.
• Agent Based Modeling: Simulation approach modeling real-world interactions through independent agents; NetLogo is frequently used for such simulations.
• Agent: Autonomous components of a model or system that interact and function independently.
• Algorithm: A precise set of instructions designed to accomplish a specific task, guaranteed to terminate after execution.
• Analog: Systems or signals measured with continuous values; examples include audio signals and traditional clocks.
• Application: A self-contained software program that performs specific tasks and services for users.
• Autonomous: Describes systems that operate independently through computer programming without human intervention.
• Bandwidth: The capacity to transmit information, typically measured in bits or bytes per second.
• Big Data: Refers to challenges associated with processing large volumes of rapidly refreshing data, such as sensor data from various sources.
• Binary: The base-2 numeral system, consisting only of 0's and 1's; a system where k bits can represent 2^k different values.
• Bit: The smallest unit of information in computing, represented as either a 0 or a 1; often denoted with a lowercase 'b.'
• Boot Program: The initial program executed when computer hardware powers on.
• Boot: Action of restarting a computer, regardless of its current operational state.
• Broadcast: Transmission of a message to all recipients within a communication network.
• Bus: Primary conduits for parallel data transfer within the CPU; encompasses multiple pathways for bit transmission.
• Byte: A collection of 8 bits, commonly denoted with a capital 'B' (e.g., MB for megabytes).
• CPU intensive: Describes programs predominantly utilizing CPU resources over waiting for memory data.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): The core component where computation and instruction execution occur.
• Cache: High-speed memory storing frequently accessed data to optimize performance, often located in slower storage mediums.
• Card: A circuit board that connects to the computer motherboard, adding functionality or connectivity options.