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3a78e1 lisa 2026-08-29 17:10:44
Essential Terms: interactive pages for C01-C10 One mechanism in the shared port script builds all ten glossaries from CXX-2026/CXX-essential-terms.md. Obsidian's [!note]- callouts do not render in OtterWiki, so every page is rebuilt to the C02 click-to-reveal shape (>| ### Term / >| definition): C01 and C03-C08 are new, C09 converts from the non-rendering form, C02 and C10 are regenerated. 258 terms, definitions verbatim from source, sorted into the groups named by each source's own Topics list; the port asserts the grouping covers every term exactly once. Each page opens with a compact vocabulary map and closes on a See also. Seven criterion home pages gain a Foundations link. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01RxqgYbTNNYrPNuko6xfbKs
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<!-- Generated from applied-computing-au vic/unit3-4/sat/C05-2026/C05-essential-terms.md by port-reference-godot-to-wiki.py — do not hand-edit; re-run the port. -->
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# Essential Terms — C05
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The Hamilton and Alexandra College · Year 12 · 2026
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A glossary of every term you need to recognise and use correctly across C05. 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.
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```mermaid
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flowchart TD
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R["C05 vocabulary<br/>31 terms"]
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R --> G0["Design tools<br/>7 terms"]
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R --> G1["Design principles<br/>7 terms"]
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R --> G2["UX characteristics<br/>4 terms"]
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R --> G3["Usability and accessibility<br/>5 terms"]
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R --> G4["Evaluation words<br/>6 terms"]
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R --> G5["Thinking styles<br/>2 terms"]
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```
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*Where the C05 vocabulary sits, and how much of it is in each group — the 6 sections below follow the same order. Revise the heavy groups first.*
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---
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## Design tools
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>| ### Annotate
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>| Add comments to a document or diagram.
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>| ### Data dictionary (software design)
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>| Used to plan storage structure; provides specifications of variables, arrays and GUI objects, with reference to data types, data structures and data sources.
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>| ### Design ideas
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>| Conceptual solutions or creative approaches intended to address a specific problem or requirement in a design process.
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>| ### IPO chart
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>| A tabular method of conceptualising how data is received, processed and returned, typically presented in a three-column table.
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>| ### Mock-up
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>| An annotated visual representation of the user interface of a software solution, used to aid in the design of an interface.
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>| ### Object description
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>| A design tool that describes all of the relevant properties, methods and events in an object or class.
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>| ### Pseudocode
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>| Code that designs algorithms in a clear, human-readable, language-independent format using Structured English.
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---
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## Design principles
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>| ### Alignment
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>| A design principle concerned with how elements are positioned relative to each other and the page, improving clarity and readability.
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>| ### Balance
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>| A design principle concerned with the distribution of visual weight across an interface, contributing to attractiveness and usability.
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>| ### Contrast
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>| A design principle concerned with the difference between elements that makes them stand out from each other, essential for accessibility and readability.
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>| ### Design principles
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>| Principles that influence the appearance and functionality of a solution, including alignment, balance, contrast, space, text formatting, usability and navigation.
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>| ### Navigation
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>| A design principle concerned with how users move through software, directly impacting efficiency and usability.
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>| ### Space (white space)
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>| A design principle concerned with the empty areas between and around elements, improving clarity, readability and reducing cognitive load.
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>| ### Text formatting
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>| A design principle concerned with how text appears and is structured in an interface, enhancing readability and supporting accessibility.
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---
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## UX characteristics
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>| ### Affordance
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>| The visual clues in an interface that tell users how they can interact with elements, making the software intuitive and self-explanatory through design.
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>| ### Interoperability
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>| The ability of software to work seamlessly with other systems, applications and devices, supporting efficiency by allowing smooth integration into existing workflows.
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>| ### Usability
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>| Ease of use to achieve specified goals in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction.
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>| ### User experience (UX)
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>| The overall experience a user has when interacting with software, influenced by factors including affordance, interoperability, security and usability.
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---
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## Usability and accessibility
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>| ### Accessibility
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>| How easily the software can be used by those who experience disabilities.
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>| ### Assistive technology
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>| Any device or system that is designed for individuals who would otherwise find the task difficult or impossible.
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>| ### Clarity
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>| Ease of understanding.
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>| ### Readability
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>| The ease of understanding the text.
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>| ### Universal design
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>| Designing products that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
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---
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## Evaluation words
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>| ### Attractiveness
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>| How pleasing something is to the viewer.
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>| ### Communication of message
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>| The process through which meaning is transferred.
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>| ### Completeness
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>| Nothing left out.
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>| ### Effectiveness
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>| Produces the expected result.
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>| ### Efficiency
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>| Economic use of resources with minimum waste.
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>| ### Evaluation criteria
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>| Rules set out during design that include effectiveness and efficiency criteria; based on the solution's requirements, which were defined during analysis.
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---
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## Thinking styles
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>| ### Convergent thinking
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>| Involves coming up with a single, well-established answer to a problem.
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>| ### Divergent thinking
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>| Involves exploring many possible solutions using spontaneous, free-flowing techniques.
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---
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## See also
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- [C05 home page](/sd/C05/C05-home) — everything else for this criterion
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- [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