Primary computing glossary
We have designed this glossary as a tool to support and enhance teachers’ professional knowledge, rather than as a classroom resource to be shared directly with pupils.
Vocabulary is an important part of teaching and learning. In this glossary, we explain a selection of the computing-specific vocabulary derived from the Teach Computing Curriculum and aim to support your understanding of these key terms.
When used correctly, vocabulary can unlock a wealth of understanding; however, when used inconsistently, it can cause alternate conceptions (misconceptions) that can interfere with pupils' learning. You can read more about this in our quick read on alternate conceptions. As a teacher, your regular and consistent use of accurate, technical vocabulary can support pupils’ conceptual understanding.
In many instances, vocabulary acts as a label that identifies the concept. To connect a concept with the appropriate term, begin by introducing and explaining the key term, then unpack the related concept; this makes it more concrete for your pupils, before you repack it and then once again apply the vocabulary label. This will ensure that you connect these labels with the concepts that they describe and embed the concept in your pupils' understanding and, subsequently, the terminology will become part of their own vocabulary. The Teach Computing Curriculum incorporates this unpacking and repacking approach and you can find out more in our quick read on semantic waves.
Throughout the Teach Computing Curriculum, we introduce new terms progressively and revisit them often. As such, this glossary is a first release that will be added to, revised, and updated regularly.
Glossary
| Term | Key Stage | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithm | 1&2 | A precise set of ordered steps that can be followed by a human and implemented on a computer to achieve a task |
| Attribute (property) | 1&2 | A word or a phrase that can be used to describe an object such as its colour, size, or price |
| Browser | 2 | SEE: Web browser |
| Code | 1&2 | The commands that a computer can run |
| Code snippet | 1&2 | A section of a program viewed in isolation |
| Command | 1&2 | A single instruction that can be used in a program to control a computer |
| Computer | 1&2 | A programmable machine that accepts and processes inputs and produces outputs (input, process, output; IPO) |
| Computer network | 2 | A group of interconnected computing devices |
| Computer system | 2 | A combination of hardware and software that can have data input to it, which it then processes and outputs. It can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks. |
| Condition | 2 | A statement that can be either True or False |
| Condition-controlled loop | 2 | SEE: Loop (condition-controlled) |
| Count-controlled loop | 2 | SEE: Loop (count-controlled) |
| Data | 1&2 | A letter, word, number etc. that has been collected for a purpose, but stored without context |
| Data set | 2 | A collection of related data |
| Debugging | 1&2 | The process of finding and correcting errors in a program |
| Decompose | 2 | To break down a task into smaller, more achievable steps |
| Digital device | 2 | A computer or a device with a computer inside that has been programmed for a specific task |
| Domain name | 2 | The part of a website’s URL that is user friendly and identifies that it is under the control of a particular person or organisation e.g. raspberrypi.org |
| Execute (run) | 2 | SEE: Run |
| Hardware | 2 | The physical parts of a computer system |
| HTML (HyperText Markup Language) | 2 | A standardised language used to define the structure of web pages |
| Hyperlink | 2 | (Also: link, weblink) Text or media that when clicked, takes the user to another specified location (URL) |
| Infinite loop | 2 | SEE: Loop (infinite) |
| Information | 1&2 | Data put into a context that provides meaning |
| Information technology | 1 | The study, use, and development of computer systems for storing, processing, retrieving, and sending information |
| Input | 2 | Data that is sent to a program to be processed |
| Input device | 2 | A piece of hardware used to control, or send data to, a computer |
| Internet | 2 | The global system of interconnected computer networks |
| Loop | 2 | (Count-controlled, condition-controlled, or infinite) Commands that repeatedly run a defined section of code |
| Loop (condition-controlled) | 2 | A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code until a condition is met |
| Loop (count-controlled) | 2 | A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code a predefined number of times |
| Loop (infinite) | 2 | A command that repeatedly runs a defined section of code indefinitely |
| Network | 2 | SEE: Computer network |
| Object | 1 | Something that can be named and has other attributes (properties), which can be labelled |
| Object | 2 | Something that is uniquely identifiable and has attributes |
| Output | 2 | The result of data processed by a computer |
| Output device | 2 | A piece of hardware that is controlled by outputs from a computer |
| Procedure | 2 | A named set of commands that can be called multiple times throughout a program. This type of subroutine does not return a value. |
| Process | 2 | A program, or part of a program, that is running on a computer |
| Program | 1&2 | A set of ordered commands that can be run by a computer to complete a task |
| Property (attribute) | 1 | A word or a phrase that can be used to describe an object such as its colour, size, or price |
| Repetition | 2 | Part of a program where one or more commands are run multiple times in a loop |
| Router | 2 | A device that manages the flow of data between computer networks |
| Run (execute) | 1&2 | To action the commands in a program |
| Selection | 2 | Part of a program where if a condition is met, then a set of commands is run |
| Server | 2 | A networked computer that manages, stores, and provides data such as files to other computers |
| Software | 2 | The programs used to control computers and perform specific tasks |
| Stored (data) | 2 | Data kept digitally so that it can be accessed by a computer |
| Subroutine | 2 | A named sequence of commands designed to perform a specific task |
| Switch (network switch) | 2 | A device that manages the flow of data packets within a computer network |
| Technology | 1 | The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes |
| URL (Uniform Resource Locator) | 2 | The address of a file on the internet |
| Variable | 2 | A named piece of data (often a number or text) stored in a computer’s memory, which can be accessed and changed by a computer program |
| Web | 2 | SEE: WWW (World Wide Web) |
| Web address | 2 | SEE: URL (Uniform Resource Locator) |
| Web browser | 2 | A program used to view, navigate, and interact with web pages |
| Web page | 2 | A HTML document viewed using a web browser |
| Website | 2 | A collection of interlinked web pages, stored under a single domain |
| WiFi | 2 | A technology that allows devices to wirelessly access a network and transfer data |
| WAP (Wireless Access Point) | 2 | A network device that allows wireless computing devices to connect to a wired network |
| WWW (World Wide Web) | 2 | A service provided via the internet that allows access to web pages and other shared files |
For further support:
- If you are interested in understanding more about how to represent and organise knowledge, including vocabulary, for your pupils, you can find more information in this recent blog post.
- To develop your professional knowledge further, please see our range of online and face-to-face courses.
If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback about this glossary, please email: [email protected].