Use this coding glossary to define common computer science terminology. The wording is designed especially for kids. These simple descriptions help students understand each term’s meaning and apply it when describing their programming experiences in coding journal entries or coding presentations. TechnoKids coding courses such as TechnoArcade and TechnoTurtle encourage students to communicate using the language of programming experts.
A-Z Coding Glossary
A
algorithm: A set of steps that provide instructions on how to complete a task such as do an action, make a decision, or calculate data.
automate: Complete a task independently without a human.
B
block: An individual command that tells the computer what to do.
break: A command that stops a loop.
bug: A mistake in code that stops a program from working properly.
C
code: Special words or commands that the computer understands.
comment: Note to a programmer that tells about the code.
control: A command that directs how a program runs, including what happens next, what repeats, and when actions start or stop.
D
debug: Testing a program to find and fix errors in the code.
E
else statement: Code that does an action only if conditions listed above are not met.
else if (elif) statement: Code that checks multiple conditions one by one until one is true.
F
flowchart: Diagram that uses shapes, lines, and arrows to sequence steps.
for loop: This type of loop repeats for a specific number of times.
forever: Repeat an action non-stop, over and over again.
function: A reusable block of code that does a specific task when it is called.
G
greater than operator: A > symbol used to compare two values, to determine if one value is bigger than the other.
I
if statement: Code that does an action only if a condition is met.
import: Bring code from another source such as a file or library into a program
input: Add information into a program.
integer: A whole number.
iteration: Repeat a set of steps to complete a task.
J
join: Combine data or text together.
K
keyword: A reserved word in a programming language that cannot be used as a variable name.
L
less than operator: A < symbol used to compare two values, to determine if one value is smaller than the other.
library: A collection of commands related to a specific topic that can be imported into a program.
list: A collection of items stored together in an ordered way.
logical operator: Symbols or words like and, or, or not, that help a program make decisions.
loop – Code that runs the same instructions over and over until told to stop.
N
nested: Code placed inside another block of code to allow a program to apply rules within a specific task instead of all the time.
O
operator: A symbol or keyword used to compare, calculate, or change values.
output: The result of a computer produces after it runs a program such as text, numbers, images, sounds, or other printed information.
P
program – A complete project made up of one or more scripts that work together to solve a problem or create a finished product, such as a game.
programmer – A person who writes a computer program
Q
quotes: Symbols used to mark text as a “string”, telling the computer that the information is not a command or a number.
R
random: An unknown value selected from between two values.
repeat – Do an action again for a set number of times.
S
script – A shorter set of instructions written in code that tell a computer to perform a specific task in a program.
string: A text value such as a word, phrase, or sentence.
T
type: The kind of data such as an integer or string.
U
user: A person who uses a computer or program.
V
variable: A stored value that can change.
W
while loop: A type of loop that runs forever or until a condition is met.
X
x value: Horizontal location of a point on the canvas.
Y
y value: Vertical location of a point on the canvas.
Coding Glossary for Kids Included in Every Course
TechnoKids courses include a glossary of common terminology. Check out these popular coding courses:
TechnoArcade: Create games for kids using Scratch.
TechnoRace: Build a race using Scratch that includes a timer and score keeping.
TechnoPython: Develop text-based coding games using the Python programming language.