A quick-reference glossary of common coding terms, each explained with an everyday comparison rather than technical language.
| Term | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Algorithm | A set of step-by-step instructions for completing a task — a recipe is an algorithm for making food |
| Code | The written instructions themselves, in a language a computer can understand |
| Program | A complete set of code that does something specific, like a game or an app |
| Term | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Doing steps in a specific order, one after another |
| Loop | Repeating a step or set of steps a number of times, instead of writing it out repeatedly |
| Condition (if/then) | "If this happens, do that" — a rule that changes what happens based on a situation |
| Variable | A named container holding information that can change, like a labeled box for a score or a name |
| Term | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Bug | An error or mistake in the code that causes something to go wrong |
| Debug | Finding and fixing a bug — the term comes from early computing history, when an actual insect caused a computer malfunction |
| Test | Running the code to check whether it does what it's supposed to |
A set of step-by-step instructions for completing a task — a recipe is an algorithm for making food.
To find and fix an error ("bug") in a set of instructions or code — the term comes from an actual insect causing an early computer malfunction.
A named container holding a piece of information that can change, like a labeled box whose contents can be swapped.