Computer Science Terminology

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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 possibilities.

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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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An error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.

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Round-off Error

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An error from attempting to represent a too precise number. The value is rounded.

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Analog Data

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Data with values that change continuously or smoothly over time.

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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.