ICT Vocabulary and Definitions (Simplified)

Flowchart
Definition: A picture showing steps in a process using symbols.

Example: Example: Steps for making tea drawn in a flowchart.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Example: Example: Siri answering your questions.

Machine learning
Definition: When machines learn from data to get better at tasks.

Example: Example: Netflix suggests shows you might like.

Data type
Definition: The kind of data, like text, numbers, or lists.

Example: Example: '123' is a number, and 'Hello' is text.

Program
Definition: A list of instructions for the computer to follow.

Example: Example: A program to calculate your grades.

Algorithm
Definition: Steps to solve a problem.

Example: Example: Instructions for making a sandwich.

String
Definition: A group of characters, like words or sentences.

Example: Example: 'Apple' is a string.

Character
Definition: A single letter, number, or symbol.

Example: Example: 'A', '1', and '$' are characters.

Integer
Definition: A whole number without a decimal.
Example: Example: Your age, like 18, is an integer.

Real/Float
Definition: A number with a decimal.

Example: Example: A temperature like 36.5 is a float.

Concatenation
Definition: Joining two strings together.

Example: Example: 'Hello' + 'World' = 'HelloWorld'.

Cast
Definition: Changing one type of data to another.

Example: Example: Turn '123' (text) into 123 (number).

Pseudocode
Definition: Using simple words to plan a program.

Example: Example: 'If hungry, eat food.'

Test plan
Definition: A list of things to test in a program.

Example: Example: Test if a login form works with the correct password.

User requirements
Definition: What the user wants the program to do.

Example: Example: A user wants an app to track steps.

Prototype
Definition: A simple version of a program to test ideas.

Example: Example: A draft design of a new website.

Iterate/iteration
Definition: Doing something again to make it better.

Example: Example: Writing a draft, fixing it, and checking again.

Trace table
Definition: A table to track how values change in a program.

Example: Example: A table showing how 'x' changes in a loop.

Example: Example: 'score = 10' means 'score' is the box holding 10.

Selection
Definition: A choice made in a program, like 'if' or 'else'.

Example: Example: 'If it rains, take an umbrella.'

Truth table
Definition: A table showing all possible outcomes of a logic rule.

Example: Example: Results for AND, OR, NOT operations.

Logic error
Definition: A mistake in the logic that gives the wrong result.

Example: Example: Subtracting instead of adding two numbers.

Syntax error
Definition: A mistake in the code that stops it from running.

Example: Example: Missing a colon in Python.

Runtime error
Definition: An error that happens when the program is running.

Example: Example: Dividing by zero in a program.

Conditional statement
Definition: A command that runs only if something is true.

Example: Example: 'If x > 0, print positive.'

Sequence
Definition: Steps in a program that happen in order.

Example: Example: Wash your hands, then eat.

Execute
Definition: To run a program.

Example: Example: Press 'Run' to start the program.

Example: Example: Printing numbers 1 to 10.

For loop
Definition: A loop that repeats for a specific range.

Example: Example: 'For i in range(5): print(i)'.

Efficient
Definition: Doing something quickly and with less effort.

Example: Example: Using a shortcut instead of a long method.

Array
Definition: A list of items stored together.

Example: Example: A list of student names.

One-dimensional array
Definition: A simple list of items in one row.

Example: Example: [10, 20, 30] is a one-dimensional array.

Normal test data

Example: Example: Entering '25' as age.

Extreme test data

Example: Example: Entering '0' or '120' for age.

Invalid test data

Example: Example: Entering 'abc' as age.

Microprocessor
Definition: A small chip that is the brain of devices.

Example: Example: The CPU in a phone is a microprocessor.

Data
Definition: Information used by a computer.
Example: Example: A list of names and phone numbers.

Accelerometer
Definition: A tool that measures movement or speed changes.

Example: Example: A phone rotates its screen using an accelerometer.

Syntax
Definition: The rules for writing code.

Example: Example: Python needs correct indentation.

Function
Definition: A reusable piece of code that does one task.

Example: Example: A function to calculate the area of a rectangle.

Sub-program
Definition: A smaller part of a bigger program.

Example: Example: The login part of an app.

Sub-routine
Definition: Another name for a small program or function.

Example: Example: 'print()' in Python is a sub-routine.

Parameter
Definition: A value sent to a function to use inside it.

Example: Example: 'add(x, y)' uses x and y as parameters.

IF statement
Definition: A command that runs only if something is true.

Example: Example: 'If it rains, take an umbrella.'

Index
Definition: The position of an item in a list, starting from 0.

Example: Example: In [10, 20, 30], 20 is at index 1.

List
Definition: A group of items stored together.

Example: Example: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'] is a list.

Example: Example: Searching for 'apple' in a list by looking at each item.

Binary search
Definition: A faster way to find an item in a sorted list.

Example: Example: Finding a number in [1, 3, 5, 7] by dividing the list.