Edexcel GCSE Computer Science key terms

A programming construct that chooses which instructions to execute according to whether a condition is true or false.

An input device that detects a physical condition, such as temperature or moisture, and supplies data to a computer system.

Executing instructions in a specified order.

Information identifying the original position of transmitted data so that it can be reassembled in the correct order.

Executing instructions one after another in their written order.

A computer that provides services or resources to other computers on a network.

Identifying malware by comparing files with stored signatures, or recognisable patterns, of known malware.

A database of identifying patterns for known malware, used by anti-malware software when scanning for infections.

The most significant bit of a signed binary representation. In two’s complement, 0 indicates a non-negative value and 1 indicates a negative value.

An integer representation that can store negative whole numbers as well as zero and positive whole numbers.

A structure in which execution enters a code block or subprogram at one defined point and leaves it at one defined point.

A component whose failure stops the whole network or system from operating.

Extracting part of a sequence by specifying its start and stop positions.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol: rules for sending email from a client to a mail server and between mail servers.

Manipulating people into revealing confidential information or taking actions that compromise security.

A legal agreement specifying how software may be used, copied, modified or distributed.

Storage that retains binary data electronically in flash-memory cells, without moving mechanical parts.

An algorithm that rearranges data into a specified order, such as numerical or alphabetical order.

Human-readable program instructions written in a programming language.

The actual rate at which data is transferred, measured in bits per second.

A computer that is not connected to a network.

A network arrangement in which each device has its own connection to a central device, usually a switch.

One distinct combination of bit values. A pattern of $n$ bits has $2^n$ possible states.

Sound recorded or played using two audio channels, usually left and right.

The amount of data that a storage device can hold.

The principle that a program's instructions are held in memory so that the CPU can fetch and execute them.

A sequence of characters representing text. Python's input() function returns a string.