23 Computer Science Terms Every Aspiring Developer Should Know

If you're trying to learn more about the field of computer science or the tech industry at large, it doesn't take long to begin feeling overwhelmed by the huge number of unfamiliar terms, acronyms, and jargon.

Instead of getting flustered by reading about the latest Agile Django bootstrapped platform, or whatever it may be and having no idea what it actually is, let's take a step back and get familiar with some of the most common computer science and technical terms you'll likely encounter.

Remember, this list of computer science terms and definitions should serve more as a starting point. To fully grasp what they are and how they work, further reading and learning is required. When learning a new subject, you should take this step and become familiar with the terminology before moving on to the more complex concepts.

Computer science terms related to hardware

describe the physical components of a computer. Computer hardware consists of the materials that computers are made out of and it represents the most tactile aspect of computer science.

1. CPU

refers to the central processing unit. A processing chip is the program that interprets (or processes) the digital instructions provided by the application.

2. Bit

Bits are the smallest amount of information used by computers and are abbreviated as "binary digits.". In computer language, a bit can either be a 1 or a 0, which correspond to binary digits. Computer science is literally built on bits. Modern computers store and process information at a much larger scale than individual bits. The following conversion rate provides a better understanding of the size of a bit:

• 1 Byte = 8 bits
• 1 Kilobyte = 1,024 bytes
• 1 Megabyte = 1,024 kilobytes
• 1 Gigabyte = 1,024 megabytes

3. RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a hardware component that is used to store data that is actively being accessed by a processor. Long-term secondary storage–typically a hard drive–flows information to RAM storage when needed.

4. Secondary storage

The secondary storage of a device is for storing long-term data. This includes hard drives and solid state drives. When you save a file, your computer saves it to secondary storage.

5. ROM

is an acronym for Read-Only Memory. After being manufactured, this type of memory can only be read and cannot be modified electronically. ROM stores crucial foundational information such as start-up processes and software instructions.

6. Input/Output Devices (I/O Devices)

Any device used to input (input) or output (output) information to and from the computer is an I/O device. For example, keyboards and mice are input devices. Printers are output devices.

A software term.

They go beyond just physical components. Primarily concerned with software applications and their development.

7. Algorithm

Algorithms are nothing more than specific methods for solving problems in computation. As computing power and data capabilities have increased, algorithms and problems they seek to solve have improved. For delivery drivers, a shipping company may use an algorithm to determine the best route.

8. API (Application Programming Interface)

APIs connect applications. In this way, applications can communicate with one another while maintaining some security measures for each endpoint. Data can be securely transferred from a web browser to a mobile application, for example, using APIs.

9. Boolean

An element of logic programming that provides binary choices, such as "Yes" or "No."

10. Bug

A bug is a programming error that causes unexpected problems for the program's users. Debugging in turn identifies, documents, and fixes bugs.

11. Camel Case

To improve readability, the first letter of a compound word should be capitalized in a programming variable. "StretchLength" and "FixedHeight," for example.

12. Code

Computer programs and applications are created, edited, and managed using a variety of programming languages. Computers use code to determine which action to take, define parameters, and so on.

13. Compiling

Translating code that is written in a high-level language (such as C++) into machine-readable code.

14. Conditional statements

Programming instructions, such as conditional statements, determine how a program will behave. If, then statements are often used to express this. Computers will only proceed to the next step if all conditions are met and true.

15. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Integrated development environments are software tools that allow developers to write code and run their programs. There are many that provide useful tools like syntax highlighting, debugging tools, and version control.

16. Latency

A measure of latency is the amount of time between entering an input and receiving the output. A higher latency means more time is required. A noticeable delay may impact user satisfaction for web applications and interfaces.

17. Scripts

In programming terms, a script is like a script used by Hollywood stars - it is a set of instructions for a computer program to follow. These scripts can be used to generate dynamic content for a website.

18. Structured data

This is data or information that has been organized and "cleaned" so that it can be searched, manipulated, and interfaced well with software applications. Structured data is often used for categories like names, addresses, and credit card numbers, but can be used for any quantifiable category of data.

19. Syntax

A language's structure is dictated by its syntax. Like all languages, programming languages need structure for the reader-whether a computer or a human-to make sense of the information. While some elements of syntax may carry over from language to language, most programming languages have unique and specific syntax rules that must be obeyed.

Computer science terms used in the tech industry

Computer science today encompasses much more than a computer and what it can do; it's an area of study that intersects with technology in countless ways. Here are a few industry terms you need to know.

20. Agile development

Agile is a method for managing projects to produce, release, and improve software (or other projects) by repeating quick cycles. Smaller projects can typically be accomplished this way. It may be necessary to revise individual components of a software application in order to accommodate unexpected issues or changes downstream.

21. Big data

Data that is collected on a day-to-day basis by organizations can be referred to as big data. This kind of data can be used for many purposes, including trend analyses, forecasting, and process automation.

22. Cloud storage

It is possible to store data in the cloud instead of on a computer's hard drive. The cloud stores information on remote servers that can be accessed from anywhere via the Internet. Check out A Beginner's Guide to Cloud Computing to learn more about how this works.

23. Cyber security

protects data from unauthorized access. Additionally, it represents a huge section of the tech industry as more companies try to stay ahead of cyber criminals and security threats.

Use these computer science terms to your advantage!

Computer science is a fascinating field of study that offers a lot of information to learn! What you'll learn in a Computer Science Bachelor's degree program goes far beyond these terms.