01 — Foundations of Computer Science Free Online FlashCards

What does computer science study?

Computer science is the study of computation: how information is represented, processed, communicated, and used to solve problems.

What is computational thinking?

Computational thinking formulates problems and expresses solutions so an information-processing agent, such as a person, computer, or robot, can carry them out.

What is decomposition?

Decomposition divides a large task into smaller, more manageable parts that can be designed, tested, and improved separately.

What is abstraction?

Abstraction represents a complicated thing using only details that matter for a particular purpose, hiding unnecessary implementation details behind a simpler interface.

What is a model in computer science?

A model is a simplified representation of a real or imagined system used to examine relationships, make predictions, or test ideas.

What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a precise, step-by-step method for solving a problem or completing a computation.

What is a program?

A program is an implementation of an algorithm or collection of algorithms in a programming language that a computer system can translate and execute.

What sequence connects a problem to its result?

Problem → Algorithm → Program → Execution → Result.

How does an algorithm differ from a program?

An algorithm is a general idea or method, while a program is its precise implementation in a particular programming language.

What is the systematic problem-solving process?

Define the problem, decompose it, choose abstractions and representations, design an algorithm, implement it, test and debug it, then evaluate and improve it.

Why is decomposition useful in system design?

A well-decomposed system is easier to understand, test, reuse, and maintain because its parts can be handled separately.

How can a function serve as an abstraction?

A function such as calculate_total(items) is an abstraction because users can call it through its interface without knowing how it adds prices, applies discounts, or calculates tax.