Glossary

Key Terms and Command Words

Official command terms used in assessment questions and key technical vocabulary for the course.

Command Terms

These verbs are used in assessment questions. Understanding them helps you respond appropriately.

Account for
State reasons for; report on. Give an account of: narrate a series of events or transactions.
Advise
Recommend or inform.
Analyse
Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications.
Annotate
Add notes or comments to explain, interpret or evaluate content.
Apply
Use, employ in a particular situation.
Argue
Make a case, based on evidence, for and/or against a view.
Assess
Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size.
Calculate
Ascertain or determine from given facts, figures or information.
Choose
Decide or select the most suitable option (multiple-choice).
Clarify
Make clear or plain.
Classify
Arrange or include in classes or categories.
Comment on
Make reference to and expand upon.
Compare
Show how things are similar and different.
Complete
Finish an outlined task.
Consider
Reflect on and make a judgement or evaluation.
Construct
Make; build; put together items or arguments.
Contrast
Show how things are different or opposite.
Correlate
Demonstrate a mutual or complementary relationship.
Create
Make, invent something.
Critically analyse
Add accuracy, depth, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to analyse.
Critically evaluate
Add accuracy, depth, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to evaluate.
Deduce
Draw conclusions.
Define
State meaning and identify essential qualities.
Demonstrate
Show by example.
Describe
Provide characteristics and features.
Determine
Decide, find out.
Discuss
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against.
Distinguish
Recognise as distinct or different; note differences.
Draw
Sketch in lines or words; derive, as in draw a conclusion.
Evaluate
Ascertain the value or amount of; appraise carefully.
Examine
Inquire into.
Explain
Relate cause and effect; make relationships evident; provide why and/or how.
Identify
Recognise and name.
Illustrate
Explain with specific examples or statistics; may require drawings.
Interpret
Draw meaning from.
Investigate
Plan, search or inquire into; examine to obtain true facts.
Justify
Support an argument or conclusion; give reasons for statements or comments.
Label
Identify by placing a name or word used to describe the object.
List
Provide a series of related items in order.
Outline
Sketch in general terms; indicate main features of.

Technical Terms

Key vocabulary and concepts used throughout the course.

SDLC
System Development Life Cycle - a structured approach to developing information systems through stages: preliminary analysis, analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance.
Systems
Context Diagram
A high-level diagram showing a single process (the system) with external entities and data flows. Uses Yourdon/DeMarco notation.
Systems
Data Flow
The movement of data between external entities and the system, shown as arrows in a context diagram.
Systems
External Entity
A person, organisation, or system outside the scope of the system being analysed that sends or receives data.
Systems
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit - the part of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Hardware
CU
Control Unit - the part of the CPU that controls the flow of instructions.
Hardware
Fetch-Execute Cycle
The basic operation cycle of a CPU: fetch instruction, decode it, execute it, store result, repeat.
Hardware
Boot Process
The sequence of operations from power-on to loading the operating system.
Hardware
Data Integrity
The accuracy and consistency of data stored in a database.
Data
Data Redundancy
Unnecessary duplication of data within a database.
Data
Data Validation
Checking that data entered into a system meets specified criteria.
Data
Primary Key
A unique identifier for each record in a database table.
Data
Foreign Key
A field in one table that links to the primary key of another table.
Data
SDC
Software Development Cycle - stages: state problem, plan/design, develop, test, evaluate.
Programming
Algorithm
A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing a task.
Programming
Pseudocode
A simplified, informal description of an algorithm using structured English.
Programming
Trace Table
A technique for testing algorithms by tracking variable values through each step.
Programming
Test Data
Data used to test a program, including normal, boundary, and invalid values.
Programming
LAN
Local Area Network - a network covering a small geographic area like a building.
Networks
WAN
Wide Area Network - a network covering a large geographic area.
Networks
PAN
Personal Area Network - a network for personal devices within a small range.
Networks
Star Topology
A network layout where all devices connect to a central hub or switch.
Networks
Protocol
A set of rules governing communication between devices on a network.
Networks
Firewall
Hardware or software that monitors and controls network traffic based on security rules.
Networks