Flashcards
GCSE AQA Computer Science Glossary
Cards in this deck (30)
- 1Computer SystemCombination of hardware and software
- 2BinaryA discrete numbering system which allows for digital processing. (On or off)
- 3DataRaw facts and figures which have no context or processing
- 4InformationData which has been processed
- 5HexadecimalNumbers displayed in a more compact way than binary. They have base 16.
- 6AlgorithmA series of instructions that solves a problem in a finite number of steps.
- 7BooleanA variable data type which can be set to either true or false.
- 8IntegerA variable data type which is a whole number.
- 9CharacterA variable data type which is either a letter, number or symbol (number has no value).
- 10StringA variable data type which is a series of characters.
- 11DateData type of some computing languages for the day, month and year which can be stored as separate integers or string values.
- 12Character SetAll of the characters which can be represented by the computer system.
(E.g. ASCII, Unicode) - 13Array / ListA group of variables of the same data type stored under one identifier. Each individual variable is given an index number which is used to refer to it within the array.
- 14ASCIIA 7-bit character set. 128 characters represent the English alphabet.
- 15Unicode16-bit character set which can represent many more characters (characters from all alphabets/languages).
- 16CPUCentral Processing Unit
Performs processing on a computer by fetching instructions and data from memory. Decodes and executes instructions. Performance can be improved by various things. - 17Clock SpeedThe speed at which the cycle of fetching instructions from memory and decoding and executing them takes place.
(Higher clock speed - more instructions executed in same period of time) - 18Dual-Core CPUTwo cores
Able to process two instructions in parallel - 19Cache MemorySuper fast memory. Frequently used instruction/data pre-loaded into cache - faster to access than RAM and reduces the time to fetch data/instructions.
- 20Secondary StorageA storage device other than RAM. It is non-volatile which means it will store the data even if there is no power.
- 21Magnetic StorageStores binary on a magnetised disc as a series of magnetised/demagnetised areas (represent 0 or 1).
- 22Solid State StorageElectronic storage device with no moving parts which is faster to access than other storage mediums; it has a lower power consumption and is robust (unlike magnetic drives).
- 23Optical StorageData is written onto the disc by a laser. CD spun to ensure all data can be read. Laser shone onto the disc and reflected off of it. Pits (1s) and Lands (0s) change the level of reflection of the laser.
- 24RAMRandom Access Memory
Fast temporary type of memory in which applications and data are stored. Volatile. - 25ROMRead-Only Memory
Stores bootstrapping instructions that allow the device to boot up and search or OS. Non-volatile. - 26VolatileIf the computer loses power, all data stored in RAM is lost.
- 27Virtual MemoryWhen a computer system has insufficient memory, the backing store (HDD) is used as temporary RAM. When main memory is limited it allows the computer to run more software/multi-task.
- 28FunctionBlock of code. Always returns a value. Procedures do not return a value. Allows reusability through parameters. Reduced lines of code required. Can be tested in isolation and only require testing once. Easily updated. Easier to read. Reduced chances of errors.
- 29ParameterA value sent to a procedure/function.
- 30External software sources/Software librariesBlocks of pre-written/pre-tested code that can be used in programs. Saves programming time. Allows more professional looking input screens and access to advanced validation code. May reduce the security of the site. External code may not be well documented. Limited by what the external source of code offers.
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- GCSE Computing Flashcards on GCSE AQA Computer Science Glossary, created by Chloe Liu on 08/05/2017.
- Created by
- Chloe Liu · May 2017
- Updated
- May 8, 2017
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- Created by Riya X · May 8, 2017
- Copied by Chloe Liu · May 8, 2017
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