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Computing Glossary

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lowerCamelCase General

`lowerCamelCase` is a naming convention where the first letter is lower case, and each subsequent start of a word is upper case.

lowerCamelCase

World General

A "world" or "Karel World" is a grid that karel lives in.

karel World

Karel General

Karel is a dog who listens to your commands.

Karel

Command JavaScript

A command is an instruction you can give to Karel.

Command

Define a Function JavaScript

Defining a function means to teach the computer a new command and explain what it should do when receiving that command.

Define a Function

Call a Function JavaScript

Calling a function actually gives the command, so the computer will run the code for that function.

Call a Function

Indentation JavaScript

Indentation is the visual structure of how your code is laid out. It uses tabs to organize code into a hierarchy.

Indentation

Curly Bracket General

An open curly bracket is { and a close curly bracket is }

Curly Bracket

Parentheses General

( and )

Parentheses

Function body JavaScript

The part of a function that contains the commands

function body

Read Like a Story JavaScript

Programs that "Read like a story" have good decomposition and make the code easy to follow.

Read Like a Story

Programming Style General

The way your code is written is the style. It covers the aspects of the code that goes beyond whether or not it just works.

Programming Style

Start Function JavaScript

This is the function that is called when you click run.

Start Function

Break Down (Decompose) JavaScript

Breaking down (decomposing) your code is splitting it into more functions.

Break Down (Decompose)

Decomposition General

Decomposition is breaking your program into smaller parts.

Decomposition

Top Down Design JavaScript

Top down design is a method for breaking our program down into smaller parts.

Top Down Design

Algorithm General

An algorithm is a set of steps or rules to follow to solve a particular problem.

algorithm, process

Comment JavaScript

A message in your code that explains what is going on.

Comment

Precondition JavaScript

Assumptions we make about what must be true before the function is called.

Precondition

Postcondition JavaScript

What should be true after the function is called

Postcondition

SuperKarel General

SuperKarel is like Karel but already knows how to turnRight() and turnAround()

SuperKarel

Super Karel General

Super Karel is still Karel, but it knows two new commands: `turnAround()` and `turnRight()`

Loop General

A loop is a way to repeat code in your program.

Loop

For Loop JavaScript

A for loop lets us repeat code a **fixed number of times**.

For Loop

Condition General

A condition is code that you put inside an if statement or while-loop.

Condition

Control Structure General

A control structure lets us change the flow of the code.

Control Structure loops if statements

Iterate General

A single run through the instructions contained a loop

Iterate

Boolean JavaScript

A boolean is a true or false value.

Boolean

If Statement General

An if statement lets you ask a question to the program and only run code if the answer is true.

If Statement

If Else Statement General

Control structure that lets us run either one section of code or another depending on a test.

If Else Statement

While Loop General

Lets us repeat code as long as something is true.

While Loop

Fencepost Problem General

A problem when using a while loop where you forget one action at the beginning or the end.

Fencepost Problem

Pseudocode General

Pseudocode is a brief explanation of code in plain English.

Pseudocode