Decimal number
a base 10 number with ten possible different digits
Binary number
a base 2 number with two possible different digits
Bit
A contraction of "Binary Digit"; the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1
Byte
8 bits
Overflow Error
Error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.
Round-off Error
Error from attempting to represent a number that is too precise. The value is rounded.
Analog Data
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.
Digital Data
Data that changes discreetly through a finite set of possible values
Sampling
A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring the analog data at regular intervals called samples.
Lossless Compression
A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something without losing any information. This process is reversible.
Lossy Compression
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.
Computing Device
a machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors
Computing System
a group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose
Computing Network
a group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.
Path
the series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.
Bandwidth
the maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.
Protocol
An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of some system
IP Address
The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.
Internet Protocol (IP)
a protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device
Router
A type of computer that forwards data across a network
Redundancy
the inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail, for example by having more than one path between any two connected devices in a network.
Fault Tolerant
Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures. This is important because elements of complex systems like a computer network fail at unexpected times, often in groups.
Datastream
Information passed through the internet in packets.
Packet
A chunk of data sent over a network. Larger messages are divided into packets that may arrive at the destination in order, out-of-order, or not at all.
Packet Metadata
Data added to packets to help route them through the network and reassemble the original message.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
A protocol for sending packets that does error-checking to ensure all packets are received and properly ordered
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
A protocol for sending packets quickly with minimal error-checking and no resending of dropped packets
Scalability
the capacity for the system to change in size and scale to meet new demands
The Domain Name System (DNS)
the system responsible for translating domain names like example.com into IP addresses
World Wide Web
a system of linked pages, programs, and files
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
a protocol for computers to request and share the pages that make up the world wide web on the Internet