Glossary

Abstraction
In computer science the term abstraction refers to hiding the complexity of

tasks to suit the understanding of the user. For example, for you to use a
calculator you only have to press buttons in order to receive the correct
answer, however the person that built the calculator understands how it
works underneath.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of instructions that we complete in order to achieve a

task. You could write an algorithm to complete mundane tasks such as
making a cup of tea or to complete complex tasks such as calculating the
odds that a team will win a football match. In computing an algorithm refers
to the set of instructions that a computer follows in the order in which they
are given.
Binary
Binary is the language computers use. It is a series of 1s and 0s and is also

used in mathematics.
Coding
Coding is putting information and commands into a program, making it

possible for u to create software, apps and websites.
Communication technology
Equipment that we use to communicate with, such as a mobile phone or

tablet.
Compile
When we program, we use human words in our codes and programs.

However the computer doesn’t understand human words, so we have to
compile the program – using a compiler – which converts the human words
into binary.
Computational logic / thinking
Computational logic is a term that describes the decision-making progress

used in programming and writing algorithms.
Data
Data is Information.
Debug
Debugging is checking the code in a computer program to ensure it works,

and changing it if it doesn’t. When writing a computer program things will
often go wrong. When writing a program you have to test and debug your
program to ensure that it produces correct results.
Decomposition
Decomposition is the process by which a large, difficult problem can be

broken down into a series of smaller, simpler problems, thus making the
overall problem easier to solve.
Hardware
Hardware is the physical part of a computer, which uses electrical signals to

complete the calculations needed to make software run. Examples of
hardware are the computer circuit board, memory, processor and/or other
equipment related to a computer, such as printers, monitors and keyboards.
Information technology
A term used for all computer-related technology.
Input
Information that goes into the computer.
Internet
A network of computers linked all over the world.
Logic
When making any decision a certain amount of logic is involved; for

example, when deciding what to wear in the morning, you make a logical
decision based on the season, weather and any number of other
factors. Computational logic is used to allow a program to decide what to
do and when. For example you may write code that says: “When the user
clicks this button, perform this calculation.”
Network
Computers linked within a building or area.
Output
Information that comes out of the computer.
Procedure or function
A procedure/function is used in programming to break a complex task

down into simple steps or sections.
Program
A computer program is a collection of instructions or algorithms designed

to simplify processes, whether that be writing a Word document or
connecting to a website. A computer program is written using
a programming language, which allows a computer scientist to teach a
computer how to achieve a result. Examples of programming languages are
Scratch, Java, Python, C++ and Ruby.
Programming language
Computers are very good at completing lots of mathematical functions in a

short space of time, however they don’t have the ability to think for
themselves. Programming languages bridge this gap and allow us to
teach a computer how to do things.
Repetition
Sometimes called iteration, when part of a program repeats itself. For

example, in animation you may repeat the movements of a character to
make it look like it’s moving along.
Selection
When you choose part of something. For example, when you copy and paste
text, the passage that you highlight to copy is called the selection.
Sequence
When doing anything in life it is important to complete things in the correct

order; you wouldn’t pour water into a teacup before you had boiled the
kettle, for example! In a program we have to control what happens and when
in order to produce correct results. A sequence helps us to ensure that
things happen in the correct order.
Software
Software is created using a programming language and is the non-physical

part of a computer. Software can be written once and sold multiple times, for
instance Microsoft doesn’t have to rebuild Microsoft Word every time they
have a new customer, they just make a copy of the files they already have.
System (Operating System)
The Operating System sits between the software and hardware and acts as
a translator. It tells the hardware when to run calculations and passes the
answers back to the software so that it can decide what calculations to run
next.
Variable
A variable is a piece of information in a program that we want to store, but

is able to change. We can compare it to a box in which we put information.
This information could be a number, and during the program we might
change the initial number (for example as part of the scoring system in a
game).
World Wide Web
This is like the Operating System for the internet. We use the web to help us
communicate with and over the internet.

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Abstraction

In computer science the term abstraction refers to hiding the complexity of

An algorithm is a set of instructions that we complete in order to achieve a

Binary is the language computers use. It is a series of 1s and 0s and is also

Coding is putting information and commands into a program, making it

Equipment that we use to communicate with, such as a mobile phone or

When we program, we use human words in our codes and programs.

Computational logic / thinking

Computational logic is a term that describes the decision-making progress

Debugging is checking the code in a computer program to ensure it works,

Decomposition is the process by which a large, difficult problem can be

Hardware is the physical part of a computer, which uses electrical signals to

A term used for all computer-related technology.

Information that goes into the computer.

A network of computers linked all over the world.

When making any decision a certain amount of logic is involved; for

Computers linked within a building or area.

Information that comes out of the computer.

A procedure/function is used in programming to break a complex task

A computer program is a collection of instructions or algorithms designed

Computers are very good at completing lots of mathematical functions in a

Sometimes called iteration, when part of a program repeats itself. For

When doing anything in life it is important to complete things in the correct

Software is created using a programming language and is the non-physical

System (Operating System)

A variable is a piece of information in a program that we want to store, but

World Wide Web

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