AQA GCSE Computer Science key terms

Values next to each other in a list.

A precise sequence of steps for completing a task or solving a problem.

The height of a sound signal relative to its reference level on a waveform graph. Larger variations in amplitude correspond to louder sounds.

A signal that varies continuously and can take any value within its range.

The process of changing a continuously varying analogue signal into discrete digital values.

A logical operation that produces 1 only when both inputs are 1. Written using a dot: $A.B$.

A gate that outputs 1 only when all its inputs are 1.

Software that detects and blocks malware and can quarantine or remove detected threats.

The layer of the TCP/IP model that controls how data moves into and out of network applications, such as web browsers and email clients, through the transport layer.

A standardised interface through which an application requests services and resources from other software, such as the operating system.

Software designed to help a user perform a specific task, such as writing a document or editing a photograph.

A value supplied to a subroutine when it is called; technically distinguished from the parameter variable that receives it.

The CPU component that performs arithmetic calculations and logical operations, such as comparing values.

A symbol or keyword that tells a program to perform a numerical calculation, such as addition or division.

An ordered collection of elements accessed using integer indexes. For this course, the stored values must have the same data type.

An ordering from smallest to largest for numbers, or A to Z for text.

A character encoding system that assigns each character a unique 7-bit binary code.

A program that translates assembly-language instructions into machine-code instructions.

A low-level programming language that uses mnemonic names to represent machine-code instructions.

An instruction that stores a value in a variable.

Checking that a user is who they claim to be before allowing access to a system.

A piece of code that checks supplied credentials and determines whether a user can proceed.

A spare copy of data kept so that it can be restored if the original is lost or damaged.

The maximum amount of data that a connection can transfer per second.

The number of different digits available in a number system. It determines how place values increase from right to left.

A system of representation using only two digits, 0 and 1.

The process of finding the total of two or more numbers written in binary.