Glossary of Computing Terms

algorithm

A precise step-by-step set of instructions to solve a problem or complete a specific task.

avatar

A picture or cartoon, for example this could be a favourite character that you use to represent yourself online. It is sensible to protect your privacy by not using a recognisable photo of yourself.

boolean

A data type with only two values, TRUE or FALSE.

debugging

Identifying and correcting the errors in a computer program.

decomposition

Decomposition is breaking a problem into smaller manageable chunks that can be solved individually. This might mean creating ‘sub-programs’ or procedures that contain the code for a particular part of the task.

input

Data put into a computer system, for example through the keyboard, mouse, microphone, or other sensors connected to the computer.

logical reasoning

A systematic approach to solving problems using a set of consistent rules that apply to the system. For example, when fixing a bug in their Rapid Router program, children might apply the rules they have learnt about the way repeat loops work in this app.

output

The information produced by a computer system for the user, for example on a screen, printer, through speakers.

sequence

A set of programming instructions carried out in a specific and consistent order every time.

procedure or function

A self contained sub program to which you give a unique name, that can be used or ‘called’ by the main program multiple times. Both a function and a procedure can accept inputs.

A function can also feed information back into the main program. A multiplication function might have two number inputs and feed the answer back to the main program.

program

A set of instructions encoded in a programming language understood by the computer.

(A program is also an algorithm, but not all algorithms are programs e.g. a recipe in English is an algorithm but it is not a computer program).

repetition

A feature of a programming language where sections of code are repeated. This can be a fixed number of times, or until a condition is met (Rapid Router example: repeat 5 times, repeat until at destination).

selection

A feature of a programming language where a choice is made. The instructions followed depend on whether a particular condition is met (Rapid Router example: if traffic lights red, wait).

variable

A programming structure that contains data (often numbers or text) and can change or be changed. Variables are used to keep score in computer games, and in Rapid Router to store the colour of the traffic lights.

Some definitions are adapted from http://www.computingatschool.org.uk/data/uploads/CASPrimaryComputing.pdf and http://code-it.co.uk/csvocab.html where you can find additional explanations of computing terms.