What is Programming Terminology

Programming terminology is the collection of technical terms used to describe coding concepts, structures, tools, and processes in software development.

S.No.	Term	Simple Meaning	Example / Analogy
1	Computer	Electronic machine that processes data	Fast-thinking machine
2	Hardware	Physical parts of a computer	Keyboard, Mouse
3	Software	Programs that run on hardware	Windows, Apps
4	Data	Raw facts and figures	Marks, Numbers
5	Information	Processed data	Report card
6	CPU (Central Processing Unit)	Brain of the computer	Human brain
7	ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)	Performs calculations	Calculator
8	CU (Control Unit)	Directs operations	Traffic police
9	RAM (Random Access Memory)	Temporary memory	Office desk
10	ROM (Read Only Memory)	Permanent startup memory	Instruction manual
11	Cache Memory	Very fast memory	Sticky notes
12	Storage	Permanent data saving	Cupboard
13	HDD (Hard Disk Drive)	Magnetic storage	Old cupboard
14	SSD (Solid State Drive)	Fast storage	Flash cupboard
15	Input Device	Enters data	Keyboard
16	Output Device	Shows result	Monitor
17	Keyboard	Text input device	Typewriter
18	Mouse	Pointing device	Remote control
19	Monitor	Display device	TV screen
20	Printer	Prints output	Photocopier
21	Scanner	Converts paper to digital	Photo scanner
22	Webcam	Captures video	Camera
23	Microphone	Captures sound	Voice recorder
24	Motherboard	Main circuit board	City road map
25	SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply)	Supplies power	Electric adapter
26	BIOS (Basic Input Output System)	Starts the computer	Wake-up call
27	Booting	Starting the computer	Starting a car
28	POST (Power-On Self-Test)	Startup hardware test	Health check
29	Operating System	Manages hardware & software	Office manager
30	GUI (Graphical User Interface)	Visual interaction	Icons & windows
31	CLI (Command Line Interface)	Text-based interaction	Text commands
32	File	Stored data unit	Document
33	Folder	Collection of files	File cabinet
34	File System	Organizes files	Library system
35	Extension	File type identifier	jpg, .pdf
36	Backup	Copy of data	Spare key
37	Restore	Recover backed-up data	Using spare key
38	Virus	Harmful program	Computer disease
39	Antivirus	Virus protection software	Medicine
40	Malware	Malicious software	Thief
41	Firewall	Blocks threats	Security gate
42	User	Person using computer	Driver
43	Login	User access process	Door entry
44	Logout	Exit from system	Leaving room
45	Update	Software improvement	App upgrade
46	Driver	Hardware control software	Translator
47	Peripheral	External device	External keyboard
48	Port	Connection point	Plug socket
49	USB (Universal Serial Bus)	Common connector	Multi-plug
50	Power Supply	Provides electricity	Power adapter

S.No.	Term	Simple Meaning	Example / Analogy
51	Program	Set of instructions for computer	Cooking recipe
52	Programming	Writing instructions for computer	Teaching a machine
53	Programming Language	Language to write programs	English for humans
54	Source Code	Human-written program code	Written notes
55	Object Code	Machine-readable code	Translated book
56	Variable	Stores a value	Container
57	Constant	Fixed value	Date of birth
58	Identifier	Name given to variable	Person name
59	Keyword	Reserved word	Traffic signs
60	Operator	Performs operation	Math symbols
61	Operand	Data on which operator works	Numbers in math
62	Expression	Combination of variables & operators	Math formula
63	Statement	Single instruction	One sentence
64	Block	Group of statements	Paragraph
65	Syntax	Language rules	Grammar
66	Semantics	Meaning of code	Sentence meaning
67	Comment	Explanation in code	Notes in book
68	Data Type	Type of value	int, char
69	Integer	Whole number data type	1, 10
70	Float	Decimal number type	3.14
71	Character	Single letter	'A'
72	String	Collection of characters	Word
73	Boolean	True or false value	Yes/No
74	Type Casting	Converting data type	Changing units
75	Input	Taking data	User typing
76	Output	Displaying result	Screen result
77	Debugging	Finding & fixing errors	Repair work
78	Error	Mistake in program	Spelling mistake
79	Compile Time Error	Error before execution	Grammar error
80	Runtime Error	Error during execution	Flat tyre
81	Logical Error	Wrong logic	Wrong formula
82	Algorithm	Step-by-step solution	Recipe steps
83	Flowchart	Diagram of logic	Road map
84	Pseudocode	Plain English logic	Rough notes
85	Loop	Repeats instructions	Washing machine
86	Conditional Statement	Decision making	If-else
87	Function	Reusable code block	Coffee machine
88	Parameter	Input to function Content	Ingredients
89	Argument	Actual input value	Coffee beans
90	Return Value	Output from function	Ready coffee
91	Scope	Variable visibility	Room access
92	Global Variable	Accessible everywhere	Public notice
93	Local Variable	Limited access	Private room
94	Library	Collection of code	Tool box
95	Header File	Contains declarations	Index page
96	API (Application Programming Interface)	Software communication method	Menu card
97	Framework	Pre-built structure	Building frame
98	IDE (Integrated Development Environment)	Coding software	Programming studio
99	Build	Creating executable program	Cooking dish
100	Version Control	Tracks code changes	Edit history

S.No.	Term	Simple Meaning	Example / Analogy
101	Network	Group of connected computers	Office computers
102	LAN (Local Area Network)	Network in small area	School lab
103	WAN (Wide Area Network)	Network over large distance	Internet
104	MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)	Network within a city	City Wi-Fi
105	PAN (Personal Area Network)	Personal device network	Bluetooth
106	Node	Device in a network	Computer, phone
107	Server	Provides services/data	Restaurant kitchen
108	Client	Requests services	Customer
109	Protocol	Communication rules	Traffic rules
110	IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)	Unique device address	Home address
111	IPv4 (Internet Protocol v4)	32-bit IP format	Old address system
112	IPv6 (Internet Protocol v6)	128-bit IP format	New address system
113	MAC Address (Media Access Control)	Hardware ID	Vehicle number
114	DNS (Domain Name System)	Converts name to IP	Phone contacts
115	URL (Uniform Resource Locator)	Website address	House address
116	HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)	Web data transfer	Postal service
117	HTTPS (HTTP Secure)	Secure web transfer	Locked mail
118	FTP (File Transfer Protocol)	File transfer	Courier service
119	SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)	Send email	Post office
120	POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)	Download emails	Collect letters
121	IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)	Sync emails	Cloud mailbox
122	Router	Connects networks	Traffic junction
123	Switch	Connects devices	Power strip
124	Hub	Broadcasts data	Loudspeaker
125	Gateway	Entry point of network	Bridge
126	Modem (Modulator-Demodulator)	Converts signals	Translator
127	Bandwidth	Data capacity	Road width
128	Latency	Data delay	Traffic jam
129	Packet	Small data unit	Letter
130	Packet Switching	Data in packets	Courier parcels
131	Circuit Switching	Dedicated path	Phone call
132	Topology	Network layout	City map
133	Star Topology	Central hub network	Wheel spokes
134	Bus Topology	Single cable network	Bus route
135	Ring Topology	Circular network	Round table
136	Mesh Topology	Fully connected network	Fishing net
137	Wireless Network	Cable-free network	Wi-Fi
138	Ethernet	Wired LAN technology	LAN cable
139	Fiber Optic	High-speed cable	Light beam
140	Firewall	Network protection	Security guard
141	VPN (Virtual Private Network)	Secure private connection	Secret tunnel
142	Proxy Server	Middle server	Agent
143	NAT (Network Address Translation)	IP conversion	Language translator
144	DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)	Auto IP assign	Seat allocation
145	Ping	Check connection	Door knock
146	Traceroute	Track data path	GPS route
147	ISP (Internet Service Provider)	Internet provider	Airtel/Jio
148	Access Point	Wireless connector	Wi-Fi hotspot
149	Network Security	Protect network	Alarm system
150	Bandwidth Throttling	Speed control	Speed limit

S.No.	Term	Simple Meaning	Example / Analogy
151	Control Flow	Order in which code runs	Traffic movement
152	Conditional Execution	Code runs based on condition	If rain → umbrella
153	If Statement	Runs code when condition is true	If marks ≥ 40
154	If-Else Statement	Chooses between two paths	Pass or fail
155	Else-If Ladder	Multiple condition checks	Grade system
156	Nested If	If inside another if	Multiple security checks
157	Switch Statement	Selects one option from many	Menu selection
158	Case Label	Individual switch option	Menu item
159	Default Case	Runs when no case matches	Backup plan
160	Looping	Repeating execution	Daily routine
161	While Loop	Repeats while condition true	Keep driving till fuel
162	Do-While Loop	Executes once before checking	Try once first
163	For Loop	Fixed repetitions	Counting steps
164	Nested Loop	Loop inside loop	Clock (hours/minutes)
165	Infinite Loop	Never stops	Stuck elevator
166	Loop Termination	Stopping a loop	Finish line
167	Break Statement	Exits loop immediately	Emergency exit
168	Continue Statement	Skips current iteration	Skip one question
169	Jump Statement	Sudden control transfer	Shortcut jump
170	Goto Statement	Direct jump to label	Teleport
171	Decision Making	Choosing execution path	Road fork
172	Branching	Program splits paths	Choose left/right
173	Conditional Branch	Branch based on condition	Exam result
174	Loop Control	Managing repetitions	Remote control
175	Loop Counter	Tracks loop cycles	Step counter
176	Exit Condition	Condition to stop loop	Finish signal
177	Finish signal	Signals status change	Red/green light
178	Fall-Through	Case runs into next	Overflowing water
179	Short-Circuit Logic	Stops early evaluation	Fail-fast rule
180	Boolean Condition	True/False check	Yes/No question
181	Logical Decision	Final true/false outcome	Judge verdict
182	Condition Evaluation	Checking logic result	Eligibility check
183	Control Block	Grouped control code	Paragraph
184	Scope Block	Area where control applies	Room boundary
185	Control Dependency	Execution depends on logic	Permission system
186	Loop Dependency	Loop depends on condition	Alarm snooze
187	Termination Statement	Ends execution	Power button
188	Control Flow Diagram	Visual execution flow	Road map
189	Decision Tree	Structured decision logic	Flowchart
190	Nested Condition	Condition within condition	Double verification
191	Guard Condition	Prevents invalid execution	Entry check
192	Branch Condition	Condition deciding path	Voting eligibility
193	Logical Path	One execution route	Travel route
194	Execution Path	Step-by-step flow	Assembly line
195	Conditional Jump	Jump based on condition	Signal-based turn
196	Loop Body	Code inside loop	Work area
197	Entry-Control Loop	Condition checked before run	While loop
198	Exit-Control Loop	Condition checked after run	Do-while loop
199	Flow Interruption	Breaking normal flow	Emergency brake
200	Logical Error	Wrong logic, no syntax error	Wrong formula

S.No.	Term	Simple Meaning	Example / Analogy
201	Database	Organized collection of data	Filing cabinet
202	DBMS (Database Management System)	Software to manage databases	Librarian
203	Relational Database	Table-based database	Ledger book
204	Non-Relational Database	Flexible data storage	JSON files
205	Table	Data stored in rows & columns	Excel sheet
206	Row (Record / Tuple)	Single data entry	Student record
207	Column (Field / Attribute)	Data property	Name column
208	Schema	Database structure	Blueprint
209	Primary Key	Unique record identifier	Roll number
210	Foreign Key	Link between tables	Passport reference
211	SQL (Structured Query Language)	Database query language	Asking questions
212	Query	Request data from DB	Search command
213	SELECT	Retrieve data	View list
214	INSERT	Add new data	Add entry
215	UPDATE	Modify data	Edit record
216	DELETE	Remove data	Erase entry
217	WHERE Clause	Filter data	Search condition
218	JOIN	Combine tables	Merge lists
219	INNER JOIN	Common records only	Common friends
220	LEFT JOIN	All left + matched right	Left-side view
221	RIGHT JOIN	All right + matched left	Right-side view
222	FULL JOIN	All records from both	Union list
223	Subquery	Query inside query	Question within question
224	View	Virtual table	Window view
225	Index	Speeds up search	Book index
226	Normalization	Reduce data duplication	Organize files
227	Denormalization	Improve performance	Merge folders
228	Constraint	Data rule	Exam rules
229	NOT NULL	Value must exist	Mandatory field
230	UNIQUE	No duplicate values	Unique ID
231	CHECK	Validates value	Age check
232	DEFAULT	Auto value if empty	Default settings
233	Transaction	Group of DB operations	Bank transaction
234	COMMIT	Save transaction	Save file
235	ROLLBACK	Undo transaction	Cancel changes
236	ACID Properties	Reliable transaction rules	Safety standards
237	Atomicity	All or nothing execution	Full payment
238	Consistency	Data remains valid	Balanced account
239	Isolation	Transactions independent	Separate rooms
240	Durability	Data stays saved	Permanent ink
241	Stored Procedure	Prewritten SQL code	Ready recipe
242	Trigger	Auto action on event	Alarm system
243	Cursor	Row-by-row processing	Reading line by line
244	Backup	Copy of database	Spare key
245	Restore	Recover database	Using backup
246	Data Integrity	Accuracy of data	Correct records
247	Data Redundancy	Duplicate data	Duplicate files
248	OLTP (Online Transaction Processing)	Real-time DB operations	ATM system
249	OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)	Data analysis DB	Business reports
250	Database Security	Protect database	Locked vault

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This page covers essential programming basics. For advanced and extended coding terms used in development, databases, web, cloud, and AI, explore our Code Glossary with simple explanations and real-world examples.

What is Programming Terminology

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