Computer Science key terms

Software that converts readable data into a coded form that requires the correct decryption key to make it readable again.

The point at which there is no more data to read from a file.

One person, object, place or other thing about which data is stored.

An issue involving the effects of an activity or technology on the natural world, such as resource use, energy consumption or pollution.

Data of the incorrect data type which should be rejected by a computer system.

Facilities that help a programmer identify and investigate errors, such as error messages, highlighted locations and debugging tools.

A standard for wired network connections, commonly used to connect computers and other devices using cables.

A question about whether an action or decision is morally right or wrong, including how fairly it treats people.

A file containing translated program instructions that can be run on a compatible system without translating the source code again.

The output or behaviour that should occur for a test, determined from the requirements before testing.

Raising a number to a power. For a positive whole-number exponent, this means multiplying the base by itself that many times.

A combination of values, names and operators that is evaluated to produce a value.

An 8-bit extension of ASCII with 256 possible codes, allowing additional characters and symbols.

The repeated process in which the CPU fetches an instruction from memory, decodes it and executes it.

One category of information about an entity, such as a student's name or a book's title.

Programming operations used to access and manage data stored in external files, including opening, reading, writing and closing.

The creation, organisation, storage, retrieval and manipulation of files and folders by an operating system.

A setting used when opening a file that determines how it will be accessed, such as for reading, writing or appending.

A server that provides file storage and retrieval services to clients.

The amount of storage space occupied by a file.

Testing the complete program at the end of production to check that its modules work together and that it meets its requirements.

Hardware or software that checks incoming and outgoing network traffic against rules and blocks traffic that is not permitted.

Software stored in a device's hardware that provides instructions for controlling the device.

A Boolean variable used to record whether a condition has been met, such as whether a search has found its target.

Non-volatile electronic memory used in SSDs, USB flash drives and memory cards.

A diagram that represents an algorithm using symbols connected by arrows showing the flow of control.

A check that input follows a required pattern or structure.

The splitting of a file into parts stored in separate, non-contiguous locations on a storage device.

File Transfer Protocol: rules for uploading and downloading files between computers over a network.

A mesh arrangement in which every device connects directly to every other device.