Computing terms

Accessibility

Web pages are able to be opened and viewed on a variety of browsers and configured to be viewed by people with disabilities such as visual impairment. For example:

• alt labels will be provided for images to enable text-to-speech software
• all text uses relative font sizes so text can be enlarged or reduced using the text size options available in visual browsers

Analyse

To break something down into its parts to show how the parts relate to each other to make the whole. It goes beyond identifying and explaining to a detailed examination that could include wider implications, issues and/or ramifications. Analysis addresses the 'So what?"and 'What if?' questions.

Audited Formulae (spreadsheets)

A printout of audited formulae, from the tool within the spreadsheet program.

Breadcrumbs

Navigation element which allows visitors to orient themselves within a website. It provides a trail for the user to help them avoid becoming lost - tells them how they navigated through to get to the current page and how to get back to the entry point.

Brief

Describes the outcome to be developed to meet the needs of the stakeholder. It should tell the developer what has to be done and why and contain a set of specifications and constraints that define the requirements.

Conceptual Design

A clear indication of the final outcome. Formatting and formulae notations (in the case of a spreadsheet) should be included. Usually done with pen and paper. Will be completed before the fact.

Constraints

Limitations/restrictions on the conditions of the development of the digital product eg resources, time, budget.

Check totals

Included in the spreadsheet to verify the accuracy of formulae.

Data integrity

Ensuring that data is accurate, valid and consistent.

This may take the form of checking using a calculator, physical checks to ensure that electronic data matches the source document, formats are correct etc.

Describe

US2780

To identify, and give details of the software/event/technique/action and what effect(s) it has. At least one specific example must be provided. For example, as part of the evidence presented for US 2780 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of a personal computer system (see doclinks opposite), students may describe the operating system (OS) software. They may say "It provides the interface between the application(s) and the computer hardware/software (I/O management, device drivers, memory management, CPU management, hardware). The OS receives messages from the user based on graphical user interfaces (GUI's) and/or quick keys. For example, when a document in a word processing application is to be printed, the print icon (GUI) or quick key is selected and initiates a request from the application, to the operating system, to print the document currently being viewed. The OS completes the operation or advises the user that an error exists eg "printer offline."

Explain

To account for something/to provide reasons, i.e. how and why. For example, in US 2781- Manage and protect data in a personal computer system (see doclinks opposite), how do you back up and why would you back up?

US2780

Enhance

To improve, make more effective.

Evaluation

Determining the success or worth of something. For example, the following questions could be part of the evaluation of a project:

• does it function as it should?
• does it solve the problem and address all the requirements of the brief?
• has it been checked for readability, legibility and presentation?
• is it accurate?
• is it consistent, ie does it match the design/plan?
• has the documentation been completed?
• have modifications been noted and explained?

At Levels 3 and up, a strengths and weakness report may also be included.

Fitness for Purpose

Used to judge the ability of an outcome to do the intended job in the intended location. That is, does the outcome resolve the issue identified and meet all the requirements of the brief does it meet the requirements of the target audience?

Identify

Give an acceptable name/label. Distinguish between.

Justification

A clear rationale that supports the selection of a tool or technique. For example,

• magic wand used rather than removing background with eraser as it is faster
• custom shapes used as it is quicker than creating the objects using the line tool.

Legibility

A measure of how easy something is to read. A legible document will have a typeface that is clear and appropriate for the target audience. For example,

• how easy is it to distinguish/recognize one letter from another?
• is the text instantly recognisable?

Multi-page document

Document that is two or more pages long.

Organisational requirements

Documented policies and procedures or commonly accepted practices of the school.

Plan

To decide on or arrange things in advance.

In computing, a plan usually consists of a set of steps that the student will take in order to fulfil the brief and the subsequent conceptual design. At levels 3 and 4, the plan will identify milestones and resources (such as time, expertise, materials and finance).

Presentation

Refers to the look and feel of the document. For example, have the design principles of harmony, alignment, contrast repetition, proximity and balance been applied, is there a system of text hierarchy?

Protocols

A way of carrying out a process.

Students should be given questions that provide clear guidance as to the context. This could be a technical term, as in the rules determining the format and transmission of data, or refer to etiquette and conduct when, for example, sending an email.

Purpose

What the digital outcome is trying to achieve. That is, why the document is being produced.

Readability

Ease of comprehension of the text.

Many factors affect readability. For example, contrasting colours (the higher the contrast the better), clean font style (sans serif), less is better (remove unnecessary words).

Referencing

Acknowledging sources of information, graphics, audio etc. Eg Although it is not a requirement of any standard, students should be acknowledging and referencing sources, e.g. attributed quotations and references list (bibliography) in an accepted format such as a simplified American Psychologist Association (APA) approach.

Specifications

Define what the outcome will look like and how will it function.

Specifications should provide guidance for evaluation during and at the conclusion of the project.

Stakeholder

Those who are directly or indirectly impacted by the digital outcome.

Target Audience

The specified group in society for which the digital outcome is designed or to whom the finished document should appeal.

Testing

Conducting an investigation to provide information about the quality of the outcome. For example, does the project function as it should, does it actually work?

Testing Procedures

A documented plan that the student creates and will use to test their digital outcome for fitness for purpose and functionality.

User Document

Word processed or electronic document that tells a user how to locate and use a web page, database etc.

Electronic versions must be saved in a format that is accessible to users.