Chapter Glossary abstraction: Generalization of patterns found in problem solving. algorithm: Sequence of steps used to solve a problem. COBOL: Stands for common business oriented language a programming language written for business applications and one of the first pro- gramming languages that did not require the use of binary numbers for instructions. computational thinking: Thinking like a com- puter operates. decomposition: Breaking a problem into small doable steps. instruction set: Collection of complex actions developed using the basic functions of calcula- tion and decision. Java: Object-oriented computer programming language with features that minimize confusion and errors and allow programmers to produce code that operates on a wide variety of platforms. object: Self-contained unit of data and code to manage that data. object-oriented coding: Writing code in a pro- gramming language that encapsulates code and data into objects. pattern recognition: Identifying parts of one problem that are replicated within a problem or in other problems. platform: Computer environment depending on a unique instruction set. software development life cycle: Process that provides structure to the production and mainte- nance of software software is written, installed, used, and maintained. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 3