CS101 Midterm Definitions Updated

MIDTERM (SHORT NOTES) · 2024 - 2025 · CS101 [Definitions]

Module 1: Introduction to Computer Science

⭐ Computer Science is the study of computation, automation, and information. ⭐ Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system. ⭐ Software is a set of instructions that tell the computer what to do. ⭐ System Software manages hardware and creates the environment for application software. ⭐ Application Software helps users perform specific tasks like word processing. ⭐ Programming is the process of creating software using a programming language.

Module 2: Breadth First Learning

⭐ Search Engine Usage teaches how to retrieve information effectively online. ⭐ History of Computing highlights the development of computers from early tools to modern machines. ⭐ Data Storage involves methods to save digital information, such as RAM and hard drives. ⭐ Data Manipulation refers to processing and handling data using a computer. ⭐ Operating System is the software that controls and coordinates hardware and applications. ⭐ Networking is the communication between two or more computers.

Module 3: Search Engines ⭐ Query is a keyword or phrase entered into a search engine. ⭐ Search Engine is a tool that locates information on the internet. ⭐ Indexing is how search engines organize and store web page data. ⭐ Search Algorithm determines how search results are ranked and displayed. ⭐ Ranking means placing search results based on relevance. ⭐ Crawler is a bot that scans web content to build the search index.

Module 4: Searching Tricks

⭐ Weather Searching allows users to check the weather by location directly on search engines. ⭐ Google Calculator lets users perform math using search bar input. ⭐ Currency Converter provides exchange rates and conversions. ⭐ Time Conversion can show current time in any global city. ⭐ Definition Search returns word meanings using “define:” operator. ⭐ Search Filters refine results by date, type, or region.

Module 5: Search Operators (1)

⭐ Social Media Search allows finding social content like tweets or posts. ⭐ Price Search finds product prices directly through search input. ⭐ Hashtag Search locates social content tagged with specific hashtags. ⭐ Exclude Words uses “-” to remove unwanted terms from results. ⭐ Exact Match searches phrases in quotes to return precise results. ⭐ Wildcard Search uses asterisks (*) to represent unknown words in a query.

Module 6: Search Operators (2)

⭐ Range Search helps find items between two numbers using ".." (e.g., 2010..2020). ⭐ Boolean Operators like AND, OR, NOT refine search results logically. ⭐ Site Search restricts results to a specific domain using “site:”. ⭐ Related Search finds sites similar to the one you specify using “related:”. ⭐ Cached Search accesses saved versions of web pages. ⭐ Define Operator provides definitions from various dictionaries.

Module 7: Search Operators (3) ⭐ Stocks Operator displays real-time stock data. ⭐ Map Operator shows location maps for the given place. ⭐ Movie Operator retrieves movie showtimes and information. ⭐ Food Comparison helps compare nutritional values of foods. ⭐ Tilt/Easter Eggs gives funny or unique search results. ⭐ Image Search finds pictures matching your keywords.

Module 8: Advanced Search Operators

⭐ intitle: restricts results to pages with certain words in the title. ⭐ allintitle: ensures all words appear in the title. ⭐ inurl: finds pages with specific words in the URL. ⭐ allinurl: all listed words must be in the page’s URL. ⭐ intext: shows pages where words appear in the content body. ⭐ Proximity Search looks for terms close together on a page.

Module 9: What We Should Not Search

⭐ Avoid Ads by using ad blockers and avoiding vague terms. ⭐ Dangerous Searches can lead to scams or malware. ⭐ Cybersecurity Threats arise from clicking unsafe links. ⭐ Unpleasant Results can come from sensitive or explicit searches. ⭐ Illegal Content should be completely avoided. ⭐ Misinformation can spread from unreliable sources.

Module 10: Roots of Computing

⭐ Abacus is one of the earliest computing devices used for calculations. ⭐ Gear Technology helped in building mechanical computing devices. ⭐ Punch Cards were used for input in early computers. ⭐ ENIAC was one of the first electronic general-purpose computers. ⭐ Vacuum Tubes were used in early computers to control current. ⭐ Computing Evolution shows how computers developed from mechanical to electronic.

Module 11: Bits