<!-- Generated from applied-computing-au vic/unit3-4/sat/C04-2026/C04-essential-terms.md by port-reference-godot-to-wiki.py — do not hand-edit; re-run the port. --> # Essential Terms — C04 The Hamilton and Alexandra College · Year 12 · 2026 A glossary of every term you need to recognise and use correctly across C04. Click a term to expand its definition. If you cannot define a term in your own words, you cannot use it with confidence when it counts. ```mermaid flowchart TD R["C04 vocabulary<br/>16 terms"] R --> G0["Ideation techniques<br/>5 terms"] R --> G1["Design ideas<br/>2 terms"] R --> G2["Convergent and divergent thinking<br/>2 terms"] R --> G3["Evaluation criteria<br/>7 terms"] ``` *Where the C04 vocabulary sits, and how much of it is in each group — the 4 sections below follow the same order. Revise the heavy groups first.* --- ## Ideation techniques >| ### brainstorming >| A technique that allows for non-judgemental, spontaneous design ideation; ideas should not be rejected too soon. >| ### graphic organisers >| Visual methods of organising ideas; can extend upon mind-mapping techniques. >| ### mind mapping >| A technique that involves quickly generating and linking ideas together; complements brainstorming. >| ### mood boards >| Allow designers to communicate the general feeling of a solution; help to establish the creative direction and potential look and feel of a software solution. >| ### sketches and annotations >| Fast tools to brainstorm and communicate ideas visually. --- ## Design ideas >| ### design ideas >| Conceptual solutions or creative approaches intended to address a specific problem or requirement in a design process. >| ### pseudocode >| Code that designs algorithms in a clear, human-readable, language-independent format. --- ## Convergent and divergent thinking >| ### convergent thinking >| Involves coming up with a single, well-established answer to a problem; results in design ideas that are based on other, proven ideas. >| ### divergent thinking >| Involves exploring many possible solutions using spontaneous, free-flowing techniques; more creative than convergent thinking. --- ## Evaluation criteria >| ### evaluation >| An assessment of whether a solution achieves the goals for which it was originally designed; not the same as testing. >| ### evaluation criteria >| Rules set out during design that include effectiveness and efficiency criteria; based on the solution's requirements, which were defined during analysis. >| ### effectiveness >| Produces the expected result. >| ### effectiveness of a solution >| How well the software works to produce the desired result. >| ### efficiency >| Economic use of resources with minimum waste. >| ### efficiency of a solution >| Whether the result is produced quickly and simply. >| ### usability >| Ease of use to achieve specified goals in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. --- ## See also - [C04 home page](/sd/C04/C04-home) — everything else for this criterion - [Efficiency vs Effectiveness](/sd/C04/Efficiency%20vs%20Effectiveness) — the full VCAA lists: exactly 3 efficiency factors and 11 effectiveness factors; only the ones this glossary defines appear above