Research Support:

For general research assistance, including access to resources, citations, and library services, please contact the Teaching & Learning Department.

• Email: libteach@uh.edu

A

• Algorithm: A set of steps or instructions to solve a problem or complete a task, like following a recipe to make a dish.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Technology that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, or understanding language.

B

• Binary: A number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1. It’s the language computers use to process and store information.
• Browser: A software application like Google Chrome or Firefox that allows you to access and navigate the internet.

C

• Cloud Computing: Using the internet to store, manage, and process data instead of relying on your computer's hard drive. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox are examples.
• Compiler: A program that turns code written by a developer into a form that a computer can understand and execute.

D

• Data Structure: A way of organizing and storing data in a computer so it can be accessed and worked with efficiently, like how a library organizes books by genre or author.
• Debugging: The process of finding and fixing problems (or bugs) in a computer program to make sure it runs smoothly.

E

• Encryption: A method of securing information by turning it into a code that can only be decoded by someone with the correct key, like locking a message in a safe.
• Entity: An object or thing in a database that has information stored about it, such as a person or a product.

F

• Firewall: A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, helping to protect computers from unauthorized access or attacks.
• Function: A section of code in a program that performs a specific task, like a calculator that adds two numbers when given as input.

G

• GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): A processor that handles and speeds up graphics rendering, commonly used in gaming, video editing, and tasks requiring high-speed data processing, such as AI.
• Graph: A way of representing data through points (nodes) connected by lines (edges), used to show relationships, like social networks or website links.

H

• Hashing: A process of converting information (like a password) into a fixed-length value, used to securely store data or speed up searching.
• Hypertext: Text that includes links to other pieces of information, often found on websites. Clicking on a link takes you to another webpage.

I

• Interface: The part of a system that allows humans and computers (or two systems) to interact, like a smartphone’s touch screen.
• IP Address: A unique number assigned to each device connected to a network (like an address for your computer or phone on the internet).

J

• Java: A popular programming language used to create a wide range of applications, from websites to mobile apps.
• JIT (Just-In-Time) Compilation: A method that speeds up a program by translating code into a language the computer can understand as it runs, rather than beforehand.

L

• Latency: The delay before a transfer of data begins, such as the time it takes for a video to start playing after you press "play."
• Library: A collection of pre-written code that can be used in programs to save time, like how a library in real life lets you borrow books instead of writing them yourself.

M

• Machine Learning (ML): A type of AI where systems learn from data to improve over time, like teaching a computer to recognize pictures of cats by showing it many examples.
• Model: A system that makes predictions or decisions based on data it has learned from, often used in machine learning to predict future outcomes.

N

• Node: A point in a system, such as a device in a network or a point in a data structure like a list.
• Network: A group of connected computers and devices that can communicate and share information, like the internet or a local school network.

O

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): A programming style that organizes code around "objects" that represent real-world items or concepts, such as cars or employees.
• Operating System (OS): The software that manages all the hardware and software on a computer, like Windows, macOS, or Linux.

P

• Protocol: A set of rules that define how data is transmitted across the internet or within a network, ensuring communication happens smoothly and securely.
• Python: A beginner-friendly programming language known for its simple syntax and versatility, widely used for web development, data analysis, and AI.

R

• Recursion: A programming technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem by breaking it down into smaller, simpler versions of the same problem, typically until it reaches a base case.
• RAM (Random Access Memory): The temporary memory that stores data your computer is currently using, which helps it run programs quickly.

S

• Server: A powerful computer that provides services or resources, like hosting a website or managing data.
• SQL (Structured Query Language): A language used to manage and retrieve data from databases, often used to organize large sets of information.

T

• Token: A small unit of data, like a word or symbol, that a computer can understand when processing text or code.
• Topology: The arrangement of elements (such as computers or devices) in a network and how they connect.

U

• User Interface (UI): The layout and design of a software or website that allow users to interact with it, like buttons, icons, and text fields.
• URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address used to access resources on the internet, like www.google.com.

V

• Virtual Machine (VM): A software-based computer that acts like a real computer, allowing you to run different operating systems or programs in isolation.
• Version Control: A system that tracks changes to files over time, letting users manage different versions and collaborate on projects.

W

• Wi-Fi: A wireless technology that allows devices to connect to the internet or local networks without using cables.
• Web Scraping: A technique used to automatically collect data from websites, like extracting product prices from online stores.