Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversarial behavior. It involves transforming readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) and back again. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Confidentiality: Ensuring only authorized parties can access information. Integrity: Guaranteeing data hasn’t been tampered with. Authentication: Verifying the identity … Read more
Cybernetics is the interdisciplinary study of the structure and function of regulatory systems in both animals and machines. It focuses on communication and control processes within and between systems. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Feedback Loops: Central to cybernetics is the concept of feedback loops, where the output of a system influences its input, allowing … Read more
Concrete technology is the scientific and engineering approach to understanding, designing, producing, and using concrete. It involves optimizing concrete mixes for strength, durability, and other desired properties. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Mix Design: Precisely controlling the ratios of cement, aggregates (sand and gravel), water, and admixtures (chemical additives). Strength and Durability: Achieving desired compressive … Read more
Construction is the process of building structures and infrastructure. It involves planning, designing, and executing the construction of buildings, roads, bridges, and other physical projects. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Planning and design: Creating blueprints and detailed plans for the project. Site preparation: Clearing the land, excavating, and preparing the foundation. Construction process: Building the … Read more
Control theory is the study of how to design systems that achieve a desired behavior. It involves manipulating inputs to a system to influence its outputs, aiming for stability and performance. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Feedback: Control systems often utilize feedback loops, where the system’s output is measured and used to adjust its input, … Read more
Computational linguistics (CL) is the interdisciplinary field that develops computational models for human language. It bridges computer science and linguistics, aiming to understand and process human language using computational methods. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Natural Language Processing (NLP): A core component focusing on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. Corpus Linguistics: … Read more
Computer architecture refers to the fundamental conceptual design and functional behavior of a computer system. It outlines how the various components of a computer interact to process information. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): Defines the instructions a computer can execute, their format, and how they are processed. Microarchitecture: The detailed design … Read more
Computer graphics is the field of creating and manipulating images using computers. It involves the creation, storage, and manipulation of images in digital form. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Raster Graphics: Images made of pixels (e.g., JPEGs, PNGs). Vector Graphics: Images made of mathematical equations (e.g., SVGs). 3D Modeling: Creating three-dimensional representations of objects. Rendering: … Read more
Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system. It’s the tangible parts you can touch and see, as opposed to the software that runs on it. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Central Processing Unit (CPU): The “brain” of the computer, executing instructions. Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data the CPU is actively … Read more
Computer networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing resources, such as data, applications, and peripherals. It enables communication and data exchange between these devices. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Nodes: Individual devices connected to the network (computers, printers, smartphones). Links: The physical or wireless connections … Read more