This glossary supports teachers and students with some of the technical language used in the Code Smart resources for Ages 7-11 and Ages 11-14.

Algorithm: a set of rules to be followed, especially by a computer.

Boolean logic: a way of breaking decisions down into simple True/False questions; Boolean expressions include: =, <, >, AND, OR, NOT.

Bug: an error/mistake in code which stops a program from running properly.

Code: instructions written in computer language.

Coding: writing instructions for a computer.

Computer: a machine designed to follow instructions and process data.

Computer logic: the basic rules that a computer follows.

Condition: something a computer must consider before making an action; in computing, this is usually a statement that is either determined to be true or false.

Conditional statements (conditionals): instructions which tell the computer to react differently depending on a condition.

Constant: a piece of data that is fixed, or not variable.

Data: information used by a computer.

Debugging: fixing code to remove bugs, or errors.

If else: a conditional instruction which tells the computer what to do if a specific condition is met and what to do if it is not met.

If then: a conditional instruction which tells the computer what to do if a specific condition is met.

Input: information or instructions which you put into a computer.

Loop: a section of code which repeats.

Output: the result you get from a computer.

Nested loop: a loop inside of another loop.

Program: a set of instructions in computer language which tells a computer what to do.

Programming language: – a language designed for computers, e.g. Java or Python.

Run: to set a program going.

Script: an instruction or a set of instructions in code.

Syntax: a way of writing and arranging code so a computer will be able to understand.

Variable: an item/characteristic/trait that might change.