Glossary of computer science

The Glossary of Computer Science is a comprehensive list of terms and definitions used in the field of computer science. Computer science is the study of processes that interact with data and that can be represented as data in the form of programs. It enables the use of algorithms to manipulate, store, and communicate digital information. This glossary serves as a fundamental lexicon for both students and professionals in the field, providing insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of computer science.

A

• Algorithm - A set of rules or instructions, typically used by a computer, to solve a problem or perform a computation.
• Array - A data structure consisting of a collection of elements (values or variables), each identified by at least one array index or key.

B

• Binary - A numbering system that consists of only two numbers, 0 and 1, used in digital computing.
• Bit - The basic unit of information in computing and digital communications, which can have a value of either 0 or 1.
• Boolean - A data type, having two values (usually denoted true and false), intended to represent the truth values of logic and Boolean algebra.

C

• Compiler - A program that translates source code written in a specific programming language into machine language so that it can be executed by a computer.
• Concurrency - The ability of different parts or units of a program, algorithm, or problem to be executed out-of-order or in partial order, without affecting the final outcome.

D

• Data Structure - A particular way of organizing data in a computer so that it can be used efficiently.
• Database - An organized collection of data, generally stored and accessed electronically from a computer system.

E

• Encryption - The process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access.

F

• Function - A block of organized, reusable code that is used to perform a single, related action.

G

• GUI (Graphical User Interface) - A user interface that includes graphical elements, such as windows, icons, and buttons.

H

• HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - The standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser.

I

• Integer - A data type that represents some range of mathematical integers.
• Internet - The global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices.

J

• Java - A high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

K

• Kernel - The core component of most computer operating systems; it manages the system's resources and the communication between hardware and software components.

L

• Logic Gate - A device that performs a basic operation on electrical signals, mostly used in digital circuits.

M

• Machine Learning - A field of computer science that uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to "learn" from data, without being explicitly programmed.

N

• Network - A group of two or more computer systems linked together.

O

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) - A programming paradigm based on the concept of "objects", which can contain data, in the form of fields, and code, in the form of procedures.

P

• Protocol - A set of rules or procedures for transmitting data between electronic devices, such as computers.

Q

• Quantum Computing - An area of computing focused on developing computer technology based on the principles of quantum theory.

R

• Recursion - The process of defining a problem (or the solution to a problem) in terms of a simpler version of itself.

S

• Software - A collection of data or computer instructions that tell the computer how to work.
• Syntax - The set of rules, principles, and processes that govern the structure of sentences in a given language, usually including word order.

T

• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - The basic communication language or protocol of the Internet.

U

• User Interface (UI) - The space where interactions between humans and machines occur.

V

• Variable - An element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change.

W

• Web Development - The work involved in developing a website for the Internet or an intranet.

X

• XML (eXtensible Markup Language) - A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

Y

• Yield - A programming term used in various programming languages to provide a value to its caller without exiting the function.

Z

• Zero-Day Attack - A cyber attack that occurs on the same day a weakness is discovered in software, before a patch or solution is implemented.