Terms And Glossary

Question 1

algorithm

Answer 1

A step-by-step procedure required to solve a problem. Algorithms
may be presented in many ways, for example written instructions,
flow charts or using a computer programming language.

Question 2

app

Answer 2

A software program designed for a specific purpose to run on mobile
devices or on a personal computer. An abbreviation of the word
‘application’.

Question 2

application
programming
interface (API)

Answer 2

An interface that allows an application or website to plug into
another program or website.

Question 3

artificial
intelligence (AI)

Answer 3

Intelligence demonstrated by machines. Sometimes called machine
intelligence.

Question 4

assets

Answer 4

Assets are the digital elements that can be used or incorporated into
a multimedia presentation or production. They include graphics,
photographs, videos, audio, animations or other artistic data.

Question 5

big data

Answer 5

Extremely large datasets that may be analysed computationally to

reveal patterns, trends and associations.

Question 6

black box
testing

Answer 6

A testing technique where there is no knowledge of the internal
workings of an application. A user will provide inputs and observe
the outputs in order to determine functionality of the program.

Question 7

computational
thinking

Answer 7

A process in which a problem is analysed and solved so that a
human, machine or computer can effectively implement the solution.
It involves using strategies to organise data logically, break down
problems into parts, interpret patterns and design, and implement
algorithms to solve problems.

Question 8

data

Answer 8

A discrete representation of information using number codes. Data
may include characters (for example alphabetic letters, numbers and
symbols), images, sounds and/or instructions that, when
represented by number codes, can be manipulated, stored and
communicated by digital systems. For example, characters may be
represented using ASCII code or images may be represented by a
bitmap of numbers representing each ‘dot’ or pixel.

Question 9

data
sovereignty

Answer 9

This is a global movement that refers to the right of Indigenous
peoples to determine the creation, collection, ownership and
application of data that is for and about Indigenous peoples. The
term also refers to transnational data flow and a range of issues
arising from the flow of data between nations.

Question 10

data types

Answer 10

Data types used in computing are expressed as either:

• string/text
• character
• integer
• floating point or real
• date and time
  Boolean

Question 11

Object Oriented Programming

Answer 11

a style of programming (paradigm) characterised by the identification of classes of objects closely linked with the methods (functions) with which they are associated. It also includes ideas of inheritance of attributes and methods.

Question 12

Abstraction

Answer 12

Only using the attributes necessary to build a class. For example, only using car colour and model for a class of car rather than using the car owner’s favourite colour.

Question 13

Encapsulation

Answer 13

The act of combining methods into a class so that it is easily accessible to code further. This allows new users to not worry about what the code does, rather they can just import the code and use it.

Question 14

Polymorphism

Answer 14

Is when a function carries out a task based on the input it receives. Every method checks the object it is performing the action for and based on the attributes of the object, the function is executed. This allows coders to use the same function without having to worry about the different outputs.

Question 15

Inheritance

Answer 15

Inheritance reduces repetition in the code by allowing new classes to inherit or obtain the attributes and methods of another parent class.