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For developers, computer terminology includes fundamental concepts, specialized programming jargon, and software development methodologies. A developer's vocabulary covers everything from low-level processes to high-level design principles, enabling them to build, test, and manage software applications.

Core computer science terms

Algorithm: A finite, step-by-step procedure for solving a computational problem. It is the foundation of programming and logic.

API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate and exchange information. For example, an API allows an app to display data from Yelp or Google Maps.

Data Structure: A specific method for organizing and storing data in a computer so it can be accessed and used efficiently. Common examples include arrays, stacks, and queues.

Binary: The foundational system of computing that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent data. A "bit" is a single binary digit.

Compiler: A program that translates source code written in a human-readable language (like C++) into machine-readable code that the computer's processor can execute.

Function: A self-contained block of code that performs a specific, defined task. Functions are reusable, which makes code more organized and modular.

Syntax: The set of rules that governs the structure of a programming language, similar to grammar in human language.