Assam ASSEB HSLC Elective Computer Science key terms

An electronic device that accepts data as input, processes it according to stored instructions, produces output, and can store results for later use. It works automatically once a program is running.

A number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, with place values that are powers of two. Computers represent all data internally in binary form.

The smallest unit of digital data, holding exactly one binary value, either 0 or 1. Groups of bits form bytes, which encode characters, numbers and instructions.

A group of eight bits treated as one unit. One byte can store 256 different values and commonly represents a single character such as a letter or digit.

A rule set that maps characters to numeric codes so a computer can store and exchange text. ASCII covers basic English characters, while Unicode covers scripts of most languages, including Assamese.

A universal character coding standard that assigns a unique code point to characters of almost every writing system. It allows Assamese, Bengali and other scripts to be stored and displayed correctly across software.

A finite, ordered set of clear steps that solves a problem or completes a task. Every valid algorithm must terminate and produce a definite result for given input.

A diagram that shows the steps of an algorithm using standard symbols such as ovals for start and end, rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions and parallelograms for input or output.

A structured, English-like way of writing algorithm steps without strict programming syntax. It helps a programmer plan logic before translating it into an actual language such as Python or C.

A named storage location in memory whose value can change while a program runs. Each variable has a name, a data type and a current value.

A category that defines what kind of values a variable may hold and which operations are allowed on them. Common types include integer, float, character, string and Boolean.

A programming construct that repeats a block of statements while a condition holds or for a fixed number of times. Loops avoid writing the same instructions again and again.

An instruction that runs a block of code only when a specified condition is true, optionally running another block when it is false. In most languages it is written with if, else if and else.

A data type with only two possible values, true or false. Boolean expressions are used in conditions that control decisions and loop repetition.

Software that translates a complete program written in a high-level language into machine code before it runs. Errors are reported after the whole program is checked.

Software that translates and executes a program one statement at a time. It makes testing easy and reports errors as soon as the faulty line is reached, but usually runs slower than compiled code.

A set of instructions written in a programming language that tells a computer what operations to perform. A program becomes usable after translation into machine instructions.

System software that manages hardware, memory, files and running programs, and provides a user interface. It acts as the middle layer between the user and the computer's components.

Graphical User Interface: a way of interacting with a computer through windows, icons, menus and a pointer instead of typed commands. It makes software easier for beginners to use.

A named collection of related data stored on a storage device, such as a document, image or program. Files are organised inside folders and identified by a name and extension.

A container inside a storage drive that holds files and other folders, letting users organise data in a hierarchy. In Windows, folders are also called directories.

The suffix after the dot in a file name, such as .docx or .xlsx, that tells the operating system which program should open the file and what format it uses.

The full address that locates a file or folder on a drive, listing the drive letter and each folder in order, for example C:\Users\Student\notes.txt.

A temporary memory area in the operating system that holds cut or copied content until it is pasted. It usually stores only the most recent copied item.

Hardware used to enter data and instructions into a computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner or microphone. Input devices convert human actions into signals the computer can process.

Hardware that presents processed results to the user, for example a monitor, printer, speaker or projector. Output may be shown on screen, printed on paper or played as sound.

Random Access Memory is volatile primary memory that holds programs and data currently in use. Its contents are lost when power is switched off, so work must be saved to storage.

Read Only Memory is non-volatile memory whose contents are written during manufacture and normally cannot be changed. It stores firmware such as the startup instructions used when a computer boots.

Non-volatile storage such as a hard disk, solid-state drive or pen drive that keeps data permanently even without power. It is slower than RAM but far larger in capacity.

Application software for creating and editing text documents, with tools for formatting, tables, spell checking and printing. It saves documents in formats such as .docx or .pdf.

A word-processing feature that combines one main document with a data source, such as a list of names and addresses, to produce many personalised copies automatically.

Application software that stores data in a grid of rows and columns and recalculates results when values change. It is used for calculations, charts and simple data analysis.

The address of a cell formed by its column letter and row number, such as B5. A dollar sign before a part, as in $B$5, makes that part absolute when a formula is copied.

An expression entered in a spreadsheet cell that begins with an equals sign and calculates a value from constants, cell references, operators and functions, for example =SUM(A1:A10).

Application software used to build slide shows for an audience, combining text, images, charts, audio and animation. Slides can be shown on screen or printed as handouts.

The visual effect that plays when the show moves from one slide to the next. It differs from animation, which controls how individual objects move within a single slide.

Uniform Resource Locator: the address that identifies a resource on the web, such as a page, image or file. It states the protocol, the domain name and optionally a path.

Software that requests web pages from servers, interprets HTML and CSS, and displays the result. Examples include Chrome, Firefox and Edge; browsers also manage bookmarks and history.

A web service that indexes pages and returns a ranked list of links matching a user's keywords. Effective searching uses specific words, quotation marks and site filters.

A file sent along with an email message, such as a document, image or spreadsheet. Attachments have size limits and should be scanned before opening because they can carry malware.

A fraud in which attackers send fake messages that imitate a trusted organisation to trick people into revealing passwords, OTPs or bank details. Suspicious links should never be clicked.

A password that is long and mixes upper and lower case letters, digits and symbols, avoids personal details, and is unique to each account. Passwords should never be shared.

A login method that requires two different proofs of identity, such as a password plus a one-time code sent to a phone. It protects accounts even if the password is stolen.

Presenting another person's words, ideas, code or images as one's own without credit. In school projects it is avoided by citing sources and writing content in your own words.

The legal right of a creator to control copying, distribution and adaptation of their work. Software, images and music usually need permission or a licence before reuse.

A duplicate copy of data kept on a separate device or location so it can be restored after loss, damage or theft. Regular backups protect against hardware failure and accidental deletion.