Intro to Computers and Programming Flashcards
A set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task
Program
Programs are commonly referred to as ____.
Software
A person with the training and skills necessary to design, create, and test computer programs
Programmer or software developer
All of the physical devices, or components, of which a computer is made
Hardware
The part of a computer that actually runs programs.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Today, CPU’s are small chips known as _____.
Microprocessors
Where the computer stores a program while the program is running, as well as the data that the program is working with
Main memory
Main memory is commonly known as ____
Random-access memory (RAM)
Memory that is used for temporary storage while a program is running and is erased when the computer is turned off
Volatile
Memory that can hold data for long periods of time, even when there is no power to the computer
Secondary storage
The most common type of secondary storage device
Disk drive
____ store data in solid-state memory, have no moving parts and operate faster than a traditional disk drive
Solid-state drive (SSD)
Small devices that plug into the computers USB port and appear to the system as a disk drive
USB drives
USB drives store data in a special type of memory known as ____
Flash memory
USB drives are also known as ___ and ____
Memory sticks, flash drives
Any data the computer collects from people and from other devices
Input
The component that collects input data and sends to the computer
Input device
Any data the computer produces for people or for other devices
Output
Programs that control and manage the basic operations of a computer
System software
The most fundamental set of programs on a computer and controls the internal operations of the computers hardware
Operating system (OS)
Performs a specialized task that enhances the computers operation or safeguards data
Utility program
Programs that programmers use to create, modify, and test software
Software development tools
Programs that make a computer useful for everyday tasks (i.e. Word, PowerPoint)
Application software
Tiny storage locations that a computers memory is divided into
Bytes
Each byte is divided into eight smaller storage locations known as ___
Bits (binary digits)
A set of 128 numeric codes that represent the English letters, various punctuation marks, and other characters.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
An extensive encoding scheme that is compatible with ASCII, but can also represent characters for many of the languages in the world
Unicode
Term used to describe anything that uses binary numbers
Digital
Data that is stored in binary format
Digital data
Any device that works with binary data
Digital device
Tiny dots of color that compose an image
Pixels
A digital song is broken into small pieces known as ____
Samples
The entire set of instructions that a CPU can execute
Instruction set
When a CPU executed the instructions in a program, it is engaged in a process known as the ____
Fetch-decode-execute cycle
An alternative to machine language that uses short words known as mnemonics
Assembly language
A special program used to translate an assembly language program into a machine language program
Assembler
Programming languages that allow you to create powerful and complex programs without knowing how the CPU works and without writing large numbers of low-level instructions
High-level languages
Words that make up a high-level programming language
Keywords or reserved words
Perform various operations on data
Operators
Set of rules that must be strictly followed when writing a program
Syntax
Individual instructions that you use to write a program in a high-level programming language
Statements
Program that translates a high-level language program into a separate machine language program
Compiler
Program that both translates and executes the instructions in a high-level language program
Interpreter
Statements that a programmer writes in a high-level language
Source code or code
A mistake such as a misspelled keyword, a missing punctuation character, or the incorrect use of an operator
Syntax error
