Computer Science and Technology - High School

If you're struggling with computer science terminology, reboot and learn this list of essential vocabulary. Review hardware and software, networks and directories, encryption and firewalls, and much more. You'll definitely want to cache these words in your memory!
135 words 3254 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. algorithm
    a precise rule specifying how to solve some problem
  2. alignment
    adjusting the parts of something in relation to each other
  3. alpha
    early testing stage of a software or hardware product
  4. analog
    having an output that is proportional to the input
  5. application
    a program that gives a computer instructions
  6. backup
    a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device
  7. bandwidth
    a data transmission rate
  8. batch processing
    the serial execution of computer programs
  9. baud
    a data transmission rate for modems
  10. beta test
    (computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization
  11. binary
    of or pertaining to a number system having 2 as its base
  12. bit
    a unit of measurement of information
  13. bitmap
    an image represented as a two dimensional array of brightness values for pixels
  14. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
  15. Boolean
    of or relating to a combinatorial system devised by George Boole that combines propositions with the logical operators AND and OR and IF THEN and EXCEPT and NOT
  16. broadband
    relating to a communication network with simultaneously shared bandwidth
  17. browser
    a program used to view HTML documents
  18. buffer
    a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data
  19. buffer storage
    (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system
  20. bug
    a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
  21. bulletin board system
    a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
  22. byte
    a sequence of data processed as a single unit of information
  23. cache
    RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage
  24. capacity
    the amount of information that can be stored on a disk drive
  25. CD-ROM
    a compact disk that is used with a computer
  26. cell
    any small compartment
  27. central processing unit
    the part of a computer that does most of the data processing
  28. client
    any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
  29. clip art
    ready-made pieces of computerized graphic art that can be used to decorate a document
  30. closed-loop system
    a control system with a feedback loop that is active
  31. code
    the symbolic arrangement of data in a computer program
  32. configure
    set up or arrange to function in a particular way
  33. cookie
    a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer's hard drive when you access the web site
  34. copyright
    the exclusive right to sell a work
  35. cybercrime
    crime committed using a computer and the internet
  36. cyberspace
    a worldwide network of computer networks
  37. database
    an organized body of related information
  38. data mining
    data processing using sophisticated data search capabilities and statistical algorithms to discover patterns and correlations in large preexisting databases; a way to discover new meaning in data
  39. debug
    locate and correct errors in a computer program code
  40. decompress
    restore something reduced in volume to its full volume
  41. desktop
    (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
  42. desktop publishing
    (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials
  43. digitize
    put into a format that can be read or processed by computers
  44. directory
    a listing of the computer files stored in memory
  45. disk
    a flat plate used to store information
  46. domain name
    strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name organizations and computers and addresses on the internet
  47. download
    transfer a file or program to a smaller computer
  48. emoticon
    a facial expression represented by a sequence of characters
  49. encryption
    the activity of converting data or information into code
  50. exabyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 petabytes or 10^18 bytes
  51. export
    transfer out of a database or document
  52. external storage
    a data storage device that is not the main memory of a computer
  53. FAQ
    a list of questions that are frequently asked (about a given topic) along with their answers
  54. feedback
    the process in which output of a system is returned to input
  55. field
    a set of characters comprising a unit of information
  56. file
    a set of related records kept together
  57. filename extension
    a string of characters beginning with a period and followed by one or more letters; the optional second part of a PC computer filename
  58. firewall
    a security system preventing access to a computer or network
  59. firmware
    (computer science) coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory
  60. font
  61. format
    the organization of data according to preset specifications
  62. frame
    an application that divides the user's display into windows
  63. freeware
    software that is provided without charge
  64. function
    a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
  65. gigabyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 megabytes or 10^9 bytes
  66. GPS
    a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver
  67. graphical user interface
    a user interface based on graphics instead of text
  68. hack
    fix a computer program piecemeal until it works
  69. hacker
    a programmer who breaks into computer systems
  70. hard drive
    computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it
  71. hardware
    the mechanical components making up a computer system
  72. home page
    the main starting point for a website
  73. host
    a computer providing shared resources to a computer network
  74. HTML
    a set of tags and rules (conforming to SGML) for using them in developing hypertext documents
  75. hyperlink
    a bit of text on a web site that takes you to another site
  76. hypertext
    machine-readable text that is not sequential but is organized so that related items of information are connected
  77. icon
    a symbol in a graphical user interface
  78. import
    transfer data into a database or document
  79. information technology
    the branch of engineering that deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information
  80. initialize
    assign an initial value to a computer program
  81. input device
    a device that can be used to insert data into a computer or other computational device
  82. interface
    a point of interaction between a computer system and a user
  83. intranet
    a restricted computer network
  84. iteration
    a single execution of a set of repeated instructions
  85. justify
    adjust the spaces between words
  86. key word
    an important word used in indexing or cataloging
  87. kilobyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 bytes
  88. local area network
    a local computer network for communication between computers
  89. mainframe
    a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room
  90. megabyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 kilobytes or 10^6 bytes
  91. memory
    an electronic storage device
  92. microprocessor
    a tiny electronic device handling a computer's logical functions
  93. modem
    a device used to connect computers by a telephone line
  94. mother board
    the main circuit board for a computer
  95. network
    a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits
  96. noise
    electrical or acoustic activity that disturbs communication
  97. operating system
    (computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services
  98. output device
    electronic or electromechanical equipment connected to a computer and used to transfer data out of the computer in the form of text, images, sounds, or other media
  99. packet
    (computer science) a message or message fragment
  100. parity bit
    (computer science) a bit that is used in an error detection procedure in which a 0 or 1 is added to each group of bits so that it will have either an odd number of 1's or an even number of 1's; e.g., if the parity is odd then any group of bits that arrives with an even number of 1's must contain an error
  101. peripheral
    electronic equipment connected by cable to a computer
  102. personal digital assistant
    a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  103. pixel
    the smallest discrete component of an image on a screen
  104. plagiarism
    taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
  105. platform
    the combination of a computer and an operating system
  106. podcast
    a digital audio file made available on the internet
  107. program
    a sequence of instructions that a computer can execute
  108. programming language
    a language designed for programming computers
  109. protocol
    rules determining the format and transmission of data
  110. QWERTY keyboard
    the standard typewriter keyboard
  111. RAM
    the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
  112. read-only memory
    (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
  113. redundancy
    repetition of messages to reduce the probability of errors
  114. router
    a device that forwards data packets between computer networks
  115. search engine
    a computer program that retrieves documents or files or data from a database or from a computer network (especially from the internet)
  116. server
    a networked computer that provides access to client stations
  117. simulation
    representing the real world by a computer program
  118. software
    written programs operating on a computer system
  119. spam
    unwanted e-mail
  120. spreadsheet
    a screen-oriented interactive program enabling a user to lay out financial data on the screen
  121. spyware
    computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent
  122. streaming
    using or relating to a form of continuous tape transport
  123. subsystem
    a system that is part of some larger system
  124. symbol
    an arbitrary sign with a conventional significance
  125. telecommunication
    (often plural) systems used in transmitting messages over a distance electronically
  126. template
    a model or standard for making comparisons
  127. touch-type
    type without looking at the keyboard
  128. transistor
    a semiconductor device capable of amplification
  129. upload
    transfer data to a server, remote computer, or website
  130. URL
    the address of a web page on the world wide web
  131. virus
    a software program capable of reproducing itself
  132. webcam
    a digital camera designed to take digital photographs and transmit them over the internet
  133. wide area network
    a computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network
  134. WiFi
    a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol
  135. word processor
    an application that provides the user with tools needed to write and edit and format text and to send it to a printer
Created on Thu Feb 02 15:10:14 EST 2017 (updated Wed Mar 29 16:08:20 EDT 2017)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.