IGCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE
COMPLETE VOCABULARY LIST EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
1-dimensional array - Answer-an array that has only one index.
2-dimensional array - Answer-an array that has two indices.
abnormal test data - Answer-data that a program should not accept.
abstraction - Answer-It is the process of reducing complexity to enable the creation of
an efficient set of rules that can be programmed.
Accelerometer sensor - Answer-This type of sensor measures acceleration forces.
These may be static forces, such as the continual force of gravity. They can also be
dynamic forces, such as those created by movement and vibrations.
access levels - Answer-the amount of direct access a user is given to data and
resources. This could be set to be only certain sections of a whole collection of data and
resources.
accumulator (ACC) - Answer-a register that is built into the ALU that stores the result of
any interim calculations.
acknowledgement - Answer-a message that is sent from one device to another to
indicate whether data is received correctly.
Acoustic sensor - Answer-This type of sensors measures the level of sound in an
environment.
active script - Answer-this is the script that is used to produce any of the interactive
elements of a web page.
actuator - Answer-a mechanical part that causes another device or part to move.
address - Answer-a memory location in RAM.
address bar - Answer-the section of a web browser where you type the web page
address.
,address bus - Answer-wires used for the transmission of addresses between
components in a computer.
adware - Answer-a software based cyber issue that automatically creates popup
advertisements.
analogue - Answer-continuous data that can be any value within a range.
analogue data - Answer-a continuous stream of data that is processed by humans.
analysis - Answer-the first stage of the program development life cycle that involves
investigating the problem.
AND operator - Answer-returns True when both inputs are True.
anti-malware - Answer-a type of software that scans a computer or device with the
purpose of finding and removing malware.
anti-virus - Answer-a type of software that scans a computer for viruses with the
purpose of finding and removing them.
application software - Answer-software that allows the user to perform a useful task.
architecture - Answer-the design of a computer system, including the components it
contains.
arithmetic logic unit (ALU) - Answer-the component in the CPU that performs all the
mathematical and logical operations required when processing data and instructions.
arithmetic operator - Answer-a symbol that performs a mathematical function, e g. '+'
adds two values together.
array - Answer-a data structure where you can store multiple data items, of the same
data type, under one identifier.
artificial intelligence - Answer-a part of computer science that looks at creating
machines that can think and perform tasks a person would usually perform.
ASCII - Answer-a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter
assigned a number from 0 to 127
assembler - Answer-converts assembly language into machine code.
assembly language - Answer-code written in mnemonics that allows direct manipulation
of the hardware. It must be converted into binary code to run.
, assignment - Answer-a type of programming statement that stores data in a variable or
constant.
asymmetric - Answer-a type of encryption that uses two different keys to encrypt and
decrypt data.
auto-completion - Answer-a feature of an editor that gives the user options when they
start t> ping a command.
auto-correction - Answer-a feature of an editor that identifies spelling errors and
changes them.
automated - Answer-a device that is operated without human interaction.
automated system - Answer-a system that is designed to operate without the need for
any human intervention.
automatic repeat request (ARQ) - Answer-a type of error detection method that uses
acknowledgement and timeout to see if data has arrived correctly after transmission.
automation - Answer-the use of automated equipment in a process, e.g. a factory.
average - Answer-the mean of a set of values, the total divided by the quantity.
bandwidth - Answer-The maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet
connection in a given amount of time.
binary - Answer-a base-2 number system that uses the values 0 and 1.
biometric device - Answer-a device that allows a user to record and input a biometric
password.
biometric password - Answer-a type of password that uses a person's biological data,
such as their fingerprint.
bit - Answer-is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value,
either 0 or 1.
block minimising - Answer-you can make sections of code e.g. procedures, minimised
so there is less code to read through
blockchain - Answer-a method that is used to track all the transactions made with a
cryptocurrency.
bookmark - Answer-a link that can be created to allow you to quickly find a web page
again.
COMPLETE VOCABULARY LIST EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
1-dimensional array - Answer-an array that has only one index.
2-dimensional array - Answer-an array that has two indices.
abnormal test data - Answer-data that a program should not accept.
abstraction - Answer-It is the process of reducing complexity to enable the creation of
an efficient set of rules that can be programmed.
Accelerometer sensor - Answer-This type of sensor measures acceleration forces.
These may be static forces, such as the continual force of gravity. They can also be
dynamic forces, such as those created by movement and vibrations.
access levels - Answer-the amount of direct access a user is given to data and
resources. This could be set to be only certain sections of a whole collection of data and
resources.
accumulator (ACC) - Answer-a register that is built into the ALU that stores the result of
any interim calculations.
acknowledgement - Answer-a message that is sent from one device to another to
indicate whether data is received correctly.
Acoustic sensor - Answer-This type of sensors measures the level of sound in an
environment.
active script - Answer-this is the script that is used to produce any of the interactive
elements of a web page.
actuator - Answer-a mechanical part that causes another device or part to move.
address - Answer-a memory location in RAM.
address bar - Answer-the section of a web browser where you type the web page
address.
,address bus - Answer-wires used for the transmission of addresses between
components in a computer.
adware - Answer-a software based cyber issue that automatically creates popup
advertisements.
analogue - Answer-continuous data that can be any value within a range.
analogue data - Answer-a continuous stream of data that is processed by humans.
analysis - Answer-the first stage of the program development life cycle that involves
investigating the problem.
AND operator - Answer-returns True when both inputs are True.
anti-malware - Answer-a type of software that scans a computer or device with the
purpose of finding and removing malware.
anti-virus - Answer-a type of software that scans a computer for viruses with the
purpose of finding and removing them.
application software - Answer-software that allows the user to perform a useful task.
architecture - Answer-the design of a computer system, including the components it
contains.
arithmetic logic unit (ALU) - Answer-the component in the CPU that performs all the
mathematical and logical operations required when processing data and instructions.
arithmetic operator - Answer-a symbol that performs a mathematical function, e g. '+'
adds two values together.
array - Answer-a data structure where you can store multiple data items, of the same
data type, under one identifier.
artificial intelligence - Answer-a part of computer science that looks at creating
machines that can think and perform tasks a person would usually perform.
ASCII - Answer-a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter
assigned a number from 0 to 127
assembler - Answer-converts assembly language into machine code.
assembly language - Answer-code written in mnemonics that allows direct manipulation
of the hardware. It must be converted into binary code to run.
, assignment - Answer-a type of programming statement that stores data in a variable or
constant.
asymmetric - Answer-a type of encryption that uses two different keys to encrypt and
decrypt data.
auto-completion - Answer-a feature of an editor that gives the user options when they
start t> ping a command.
auto-correction - Answer-a feature of an editor that identifies spelling errors and
changes them.
automated - Answer-a device that is operated without human interaction.
automated system - Answer-a system that is designed to operate without the need for
any human intervention.
automatic repeat request (ARQ) - Answer-a type of error detection method that uses
acknowledgement and timeout to see if data has arrived correctly after transmission.
automation - Answer-the use of automated equipment in a process, e.g. a factory.
average - Answer-the mean of a set of values, the total divided by the quantity.
bandwidth - Answer-The maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet
connection in a given amount of time.
binary - Answer-a base-2 number system that uses the values 0 and 1.
biometric device - Answer-a device that allows a user to record and input a biometric
password.
biometric password - Answer-a type of password that uses a person's biological data,
such as their fingerprint.
bit - Answer-is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value,
either 0 or 1.
block minimising - Answer-you can make sections of code e.g. procedures, minimised
so there is less code to read through
blockchain - Answer-a method that is used to track all the transactions made with a
cryptocurrency.
bookmark - Answer-a link that can be created to allow you to quickly find a web page
again.
