Basic Computer Science Terms

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Binary

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A way of representing information using only two options.

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Decimal

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A way of representing information using ten options.

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Bit

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A contraction of 'Binary Digit'; the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

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Byte

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8 bits.

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Overflow Error

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Error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.

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Analog Data

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Data with values that change continuously, or smoothly, over time. Some examples of analog data include music, colors of a painting, or position of a sprinter during a race.

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Digital Data

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Data that changes discretely through a finite set of possible values.

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Sampling

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A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring the analog data at regular intervals called samples.

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Lossless Compression

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A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something without losing any information. This process is reversible.

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Lossy Compression

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A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something in which some information is lost or thrown away. This process is not reversible.