Programming Fundamentals

Algorithm A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing a task. Like a recipe for code.

Argument A value passed to a function when calling it. In greet("Alice"), "Alice" is the argument.

Array An ordered collection of elements. In Python, this is called a list.

Assignment Storing a value in a variable. Uses the = operator: x = 5.

Boolean A data type with only two values: True or False. Used for logic and conditions.

Bug An error or flaw in code that causes unexpected behavior.

Concatenation Joining strings together. "Hello" + " " + "World" produces "Hello World".

Conditional Code that runs only if a condition is met. Uses if/elif/else statements.

Data Type The category of data (string, integer, float, boolean, list, dictionary, etc.).

Debugging The process of finding and fixing bugs in code.

Declaration Creating a variable or function. In Python, this happens when you first assign a value.

Dictionary A collection of key-value pairs. Access values by their keys: person["name"].

Expression Code that produces a value. 3 + 5 is an expression that produces 8.

Float A number with decimal points. 3.14, 0.5, -2.7.

Function A reusable block of code that performs a specific task. Defined with def in Python.

Index The position of an element in a list or string. Starts at 0 in most languages.

Integer A whole number without decimals. 1, 42, -7.

Iteration Repeating a process. Each pass through a loop is one iteration.

List An ordered collection of elements. Can contain mixed types: [1, "hello", True].

Loop Code that repeats multiple times. For loops and while loops.

Method A function that belongs to an object. "hello".upper() — upper() is a method of strings.

Module A file containing Python code that can be imported and reused.

Operator A symbol that performs an operation. +, -, *, /, ==, >, and, or.

Parameter A variable in a function definition that receives an argument. In def greet(name), name is the parameter.

Return Value The value a function sends back when it finishes. Uses return statement.

Scope Where a variable can be accessed. Variables inside functions have local scope.

Statement A complete instruction that performs an action. print("hello") is a statement.

String Text data enclosed in quotes. "Hello" or 'World'.

Syntax The rules for writing code in a language. Like grammar for programming.

Variable A named container that stores a value. age = 25 creates a variable called age.

Error Types

IndentationError Python code has incorrect spacing/indentation.

IndexError Trying to access a list element that doesn't exist.

KeyError Trying to access a dictionary key that doesn't exist.

NameError Using a variable or function that hasn't been defined.

SyntaxError Code violates the language's rules and can't be parsed.

TypeError Operation applied to incompatible types (like adding string to integer).

ValueError Right type but wrong value (like converting "hello" to integer).

ZeroDivisionError Attempting to divide by zero.

Development Tools

Code Editor Software for writing code with helpful features like syntax highlighting. VS Code, Sublime Text, etc.

Command Line / Terminal Text-based interface for interacting with your computer. Where you run Python scripts.

Debugger Tool for stepping through code line by line to find bugs.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment) A code editor with additional features like debugging, testing, and project management built in.

Interpreter Software that runs code line by line. Python uses an interpreter.

Linter Tool that checks code for style issues and potential errors.

Package Manager Tool for installing and managing external libraries. pip for Python.

REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) Interactive environment where you type code and immediately see results. Python shell.

Version Control System for tracking changes to code over time. Git is the most popular.

Web Development

API (Application Programming Interface) A way for programs to communicate with each other. Often returns data in JSON format.

Backend The server-side part of a web application. Handles data, logic, and database operations.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) Language for styling HTML elements — colors, layouts, fonts.

DOM (Document Object Model) The structure of an HTML page that JavaScript can interact with.

Frontend The client-side part of a web application. What users see and interact with in their browser.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) Language for structuring web page content.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) Protocol for transferring data on the web. Defines requests and responses.

JavaScript Programming language that runs in web browsers. Makes pages interactive.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) Text format for storing and exchanging data. Like Python dictionaries.

REST (Representational State Transfer) Architectural style for designing web APIs.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) Web address. https://example.com/page

Data & Databases

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) Simple text format for tabular data. Each line is a row, commas separate columns.

Database Organized collection of data stored and accessed electronically.

Query A request for data from a database.

SQL (Structured Query Language) Language for managing and querying databases.

SQLite Lightweight database that stores data in a single file. Good for learning and small projects.

Version Control & Collaboration

Branch A separate line of development in Git. Allows working on features without affecting main code.

Clone Copying a repository from GitHub to your local computer.

Commit A saved snapshot of your code at a point in time.

Fork Your own copy of someone else's repository on GitHub.

Git Version control system for tracking code changes.

GitHub Website for hosting Git repositories and collaborating on code.

Merge Combining changes from one branch into another.

Pull Downloading changes from a remote repository to your local copy.

Push Uploading your local commits to a remote repository.

Repository (Repo) A project folder tracked by Git. Contains code and version history.

AI & Development

AI Assistant Tool like Claude or ChatGPT that can help with coding questions, explanations, and debugging.

Code Completion AI feature that suggests code as you type. GitHub Copilot.

LLM (Large Language Model) The AI technology behind coding assistants. Trained on text to understand and generate language.

Prompt The text input you give to an AI to get a response.

Prompt Engineering The skill of writing effective prompts to get useful AI responses.

General Computing

Binary Base-2 number system using only 0 and 1. How computers store data internally.

Bit Single binary digit (0 or 1). Smallest unit of data.

Byte 8 bits. Can represent values from 0-255.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) The "brain" of the computer that executes instructions.

Memory (RAM) Temporary storage that programs use while running.

Operating System Software that manages computer hardware and runs programs. Windows, macOS, Linux.

Path Location of a file or folder. /home/user/projects/code.py

Runtime When a program is actually executing (as opposed to when it's being written).

Script A file containing code to be executed. Python scripts end in .py.