Section 2.11 Vocabulary
Throughout the book, we try to define each term the first time we use it. At the end of each chapter, we include the new terms and their definitions in order of appearance. If you spend some time learning this vocabulary, you will have an easier time reading the following chapters.
- problem solving:
- The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution.
- hardware:
- The electronic and mechanical components of a computer, such as CPUs, RAM, and hard disks.
- processor:
- A computer chip that performs simple instructions like basic arithmetic and logic.
- memory:
- Circuits that store data as long as the computer is turned on. Not to be confused with permanent storage devices like hard disks and flash.
- program:
- A sequence of instructions that specifies how to perform tasks on a computer. Also known as “software”.
- programming:
- The application of problem solving to creating executable computer programs.
- statement:
- Part of a program that specifies one step of an algorithm.
- print statement:
- A statement that causes output to be displayed on the screen.
- function:
- A named sequence of statements.
- comment:
- A part of a program that contains information about the program but has no effect when the program runs.
- high-level language:
- A programming language that is designed to be easy for humans to read and write.
- low-level language:
- A programming language that is designed to be easy for a computer to run. Also called “machine language”.
- portable:
- The ability of a program to run on more than one kind of computer.
- interpret:
- To run a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time and immediately executing the corresponding instructions.
- compile:
- To translate a program in a high-level language into a low-level language, all at once, in preparation for later execution.
- source code:
- A program in a high-level language, before being compiled.
- object code:
- The output of the compiler, after translating the program.
- executable:
- Another name for object code that is ready to run on specific hardware.
- string:
- A sequence of characters; the primary data type for text.
- algorithm:
- A procedure or formula for solving a problem, with or without a computer.
- computer science:
- The scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications.
- bug:
- An error in a program.
- debugging:
- The process of finding and removing errors.
- compile-time error:
- An error in the source code that makes it impossible to compile. Also called a “syntax error”.
- run-time error:
- An error in a program that makes it impossible to run to completion. Also called an “exception”.
- logic error:
- An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended.
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