Master Vocabulary List

Unit 0 Beginnings

Word	Definition
Algorithm	A complete, well-defined sequence of steps for completing a task or solving a problem.
Computer	An electronic machine that can solve different problems, process data, store & retrieve data and perform calculations.
Computer Science	The study of the principles and use of computers.
Computer Program	A sequence of instructions or steps, written in a language that can be understood by a computer, that will be used by the computer to complete a task or solve a problem.
Debug	A process of locating and removing computer program bugs, fixing errors or abnormalities.
Programming Language	A vocabulary and set of grammatical rules for instructing a computer or computing device to perform specific tasks.
Cartesian coordinate system	A system in which the location of a point is given by coordinates that represent its distances from perpendicular lines that intersect at a point called the origin.
x-axis	The axis along which values of x are measured and at which both y equal zero.
y-axis	The axis along which values of y are measured and at which both x equal zero.
Origin	A fixed point from which coordinates are measured, as where axes intersect.

Unit 1 Snap! Basics

Word	Definition
Block	Puzzle-piece shapes that are used to create code in Snap!.
Script	Different types of blocks linked together.
Sprite	An object in Snap! which performs functions controlled by scripts.
Stage	The background of a project, performs functions through scripting.
Costume	A costume is one out of possibly many “frames” or alternate appearances of a sprite.
X Position	The position that a sprite or the mouse is at along the horizontal axis.
Y Position	The position that a sprite or the mouse is at along the vertical axis.

Unit 2 Loop-de-Loop

Word	Definition
Loop	A type of block that causes other code to run multiple times in succession. A control flow statement that allows code to be executed repeatedly based on a given Boolean condition.
Nested Loop	A loop used inside the body of another loop.
Conditional	A block used to make a choice between executing two different chunks of code.”If” statements.
Variable	A placeholder for some value. Types of variables: Global variables - apply to all sprites Sprite variable - applies to one sprite Script variable - parameter that applies to one script
Boolean Expression	A value (text, number, picture, etc.) that evaluate to true or false.
Boolean Operators	Boolean expressions that can be nested.
Function/Methods	Other programming languages, like Python or Java, use these terms to refer to the same idea as a Custom Block in Snap! a reusable.
Truth Tables	A tool for evaluating the possible inputs and outputs of a Boolean expression.
Modeling	Building a system to simulate the behavior of a real-life phenomenon by simplifying or ignoring certain details.

Unit 3 Variables and Customization

Word	Definition
Abstraction	Removing the specifics that are not relevant in a given context.
Generalization	Combining a group of related concepts or processes into a single category.
Custom Blocks	Allow for one to make their own programming blocks.
Command Block	Puzzle-piece shaped block that executes a command (it causes an effect).
Reporter Block	Report a value, usually for use in another block’s input slot.
Predicate Block	A hexagonal block that always returns a Boolean value (true or false).
Argument	Any area in a block that accepts user input, or another block. It could be a Boolean Block or a value placed inside of a variable or block. The value that is “passed into” a parameter of a custom block.
Say Block	The block gives its sprite a speech bubble with the specified text — the speech bubble stays until an another speech or thought block is activated, or the stop sign is pressed.

Unit 4 Lists

Word	Definition
Programming List	Called an ‘array’ in most programming languages, this holds lots of values.
Lists Block	A block which controls a list.
Operator Block	A block that performs math functions and string handling.
List Element	A part of a list.
Traverse	Go through or travel across an item/list.
Transform	Create a new list based on the values of the old list.
Sequential Search Algorithm	A method for finding a target value within a list. It sequentially checks each element of the list for the target value until a match is found or until all the elements have been searched.
Index Variable	Keeps track of where you currently are in a list.
Join Block	Links two values together and reports the result.
Contains Block	Checks an operator block for a particular variable.

Unit 5 Cloning

Word	Definition
Cloning	A feature that allows a sprite to create a clone, or semi-duplicate, of itself, while the project is running. Clones of a sprite will be the same as the original or parent sprite but as a separate instance. Clones inherit the parent’s scripts, costumes, sounds, and properties, yet they can then be modified.
Global Variable	A variable that can be used by all of your sprites.

Unit 6 Final Project

Word	Definition
Scenario	A description of a set of interactions and/or tasks that describe a start-to-finish example of how a user might want to use the application
Wireframe	A high-level sketch of an application’s user interface intended to help visualize layout, interactions, and transitions