College Board: AP Classroom Notes

Effective Collaboration in Computing Innovation

Reflects the diversity of talents and perspectives of those who designed it.

Benefits of Collaboration with Diverse Perspectives

Helps avoid bias in the development of computing innovations.

Key Aspects of Computing Innovation Development

Consultation and communication.

Interpersonal Skills Learned Through Collaboration

Communication, consensus building, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

Role of Online Tools in Collaboration

They allow programmers to share and provide feedback.

Pair Programming

A collaboration method where one programmer (driver) writes the code while the other (navigator) reviews it.

Think-Pair-Share

A collaboration method where individuals think through a problem alone, pair up to discuss, and then share with a larger group.

Importance of Documentation in Collaboration

Facilitates communication between partners and acknowledges contributions.

Definition of Computing Innovation

Includes a program as an integral part of its function and can be physical, nonphysical software, or a nonphysical concept.

Purpose of Computing Innovations

To solve problems or pursue interests through creative expression.

Significance of Understanding Purpose in Computing Innovations

Enables better development of the innovation.

Three Main Categories of Computing Innovations

Applications, physical devices, and systems.

Program Description

Can be described vaguely (its function) or in detail (its function and how it achieves it).

Event-Driven Programming

A programming style where statements execute when triggered rather than in sequential order.

Definition of a Program

A collection of program statements that perform a specific task when run by a computer.

Code Segment

A collection of program statements that is part of a program.

Program Behavior

Describes how a program functions during execution, often based on user interaction.

Definition of Program Input

Data sent to a computer for processing by a program, which affects the output.

Examples of Program Input

Tactile, audio, visual, and text inputs.

Source of Program Input

A user or other programs.

Definition of an Event in Computing

An action that supplies input data to a program and affects execution flow.

Examples of Events in Computing

Key presses, mouse clicks, program starts, or other defined actions.

Definition of Program Output

Any data sent from a program to a device.

Determination of Program Output

Based on the program input or its prior state.

Two Approaches to a Development Process

Ordered and intentional or exploratory (curiosity vs. order).

Phases of Development Process

Investigating and reflecting, designing, prototyping, and testing.

Importance of Investigation in Program Design

Helps determine requirements and identify constraints.

Examples of Investigation Methods

Surveys, user testing, interviews, and direct observation.

Activities in the Design Phase

Brainstorming, planning, storyboarding, organizing modules, creating UI diagrams, and developing a testing strategy.

Importance of Programming Documentation

Helps in developing and maintaining correct programs in individual and collaborative environments.

Support for Comments in Programming Environments

Not all programming environments support comments.

Acknowledgment of Code Segments Developed Collaboratively

With program documentation that includes the origin and author’s name.

Iterative Development Process

Involves refinement and revision based on feedback, testing, or reflection.

Incremental Development Process

Breaks the problem into smaller parts, ensuring each works before combining them.

Purpose of Investigation in Development

To understand and identify user requirements.

Definition of Program Requirements

Describe the function of a program and user interactions.

Definition of Program Specification

A definition of the requirements for the program.

Definition of Design Phase in a Development Process

Outlines how to accomplish the program specification.

Definition of Program Documentation

A written description of the function and development of a program, event, or procedure.

Definition of Comments in Programming

A form of program documentation meant for humans that do not affect execution.

Ways to Solve Programming Errors

Test cases, hand tracing, visualization, debuggers, and extra output statements.

Defined Inputs in Testing a Program

Should demonstrate different expected outcomes with a range of input magnitudes.

Importance of Program Requirements in Testing

Helps identify appropriate test inputs.

Definition of Logic Error

A mistake in the algorithm or program that causes unexpected behavior.

Definition of Syntax Error

A mistake in the program where the rules of the programming language are not followed.

Definition of Run-Time Error

A mistake in the program that occurs during execution.

Determination of Run-Time Errors

Depends on the programming language being used.

Definition of Overflow Error

Occurs when a number is outside the defined range of values.

Purpose of Testing in the Development Process

To ensure an algorithm or program produces the expected outcome and allows for revision and reflection.

Representation of Data Internally and Externally

A computer represents data differently through internal processing mechanisms and external displays or outputs, often using abstraction.

Role of Programs in Data Representation

Translate data into a more easily understood form for human interaction.

Storage of Data Values in a Computer System

Stored in variables, lists, or constants and passed as input to procedures for processing.

Lowest-Level Unit of Data in Computing Devices

A bit, which can be either 0 or 1.

Grouping of Bits to Represent Abstractions

Bits are grouped together to form higher-level abstractions like numbers, characters, and colors.

Purpose of Digital Data

To approximate real-world analog data, serving as an abstraction of continuous values.

Limitation Associated with Representing Integers

Integers are represented by a fixed number of bits, limiting their range of values.

Consequences of Unrestricted Integer Sizes

Round-off and similar errors may occur, leading to approximations of specific numbers.

Number Bases Used in Data Representation

Binary (base 2) and decimal (base 10).

Definition of a Bit

The smallest unit of data, represented by either a 0 or a 1.

Definition of a Byte

A group of 8 bits used to represent data.

Definition of Abstraction in Data

The process of reducing complexity by focusing on essential details and ignoring irrelevant ones.

Definition of Analog Data

Refers to values that change smoothly over time, like pitch, volume, or colors.

Definition of Sampling Technique

Measures values of an analog signal at regular intervals to approximate the original data in digital form.

Definition of Samples in Digital Data Processing

Values of an analog signal at regular intervals, used to approximate original data.

Understanding of Data Compression

Does not always correlate with less information; depends on redundancy and compression algorithm.

Difference Between Lossy and Lossless Data Compression

Lossless compression retains all information, while lossy compression sacrifices some quality.

Preference for Using Lossless Data Compression

When original quality and accuracy must be preserved.

Preference for Using Lossy Data Compression

When minimizing size or ensuring faster transmission is more important than quality.

Definition of Data Compression

The process of reducing the size of data stored or transmitted without significantly losing important information.

Definition of Lossless Data Compression Algorithm

Reduces size while guaranteeing preservation of original data.

Definition of Lossy Data Compression Algorithm

Reduces size but sacrifices some data quality.

Use of Data to Identify Trends and Problems

Data helps identify trends, make connections, and address problems by providing insights.

Correlation vs. Causation in Data

Correlation indicates a relationship, but does not imply one causes the other; further research is needed.

Importance of Multiple Data Sources in Conclusions

Ensures more reliable and valid conclusions, as single sources may not be complete.

Definition of Metadata

Data that describes other data, helping organize and manage information.

Involvement of Cleaning Data

Making data uniform without changing its meaning, such as standardizing formatting.

Challenges of Working with Data Sets

Cleaning incomplete or invalid data, combining data from different sources, and dealing with biases.

Effect of Data Size on Information Extraction

Larger sets provide more information, but pose challenges in processing.

Scalability of Systems in Data Processing

Crucial for efficiently handling large data sets.

Definition of Bias in Data Collection

Occurs when data types or sources influence results, leading to inaccuracies.

Role of Programs in Data Processing

Process data to acquire information, organize it, and communicate insights.

Use of Visual Tools for Communicating Insights

Tables, diagrams, text, and other visuals organize and communicate insights from data.

Function of Search Tools and Data Filtering Systems

Help locate specific information and recognize patterns.

Importance of Data Visualization in Programs

Visualize data through charts, graphs, etc. to provide insights.

How Programs Transform Data

Apply operations like filtering, combining, or modifying data to extract insights.

Definition of Data Filtering

Selects specific data subsets.

Importance of Combining Data Sources

Creates a more complete view of data, leading to accurate conclusions.

Nature of Using Programs with Data

Often iterative and interactive, involving repeated cycles of analysis.

Emergence of Patterns from Data Transformation

Patterns help identify relationships and insights within the data.

Importance of Meaningful Variable Names

Improve readability and make programs easier to understand.

Definition of a Variable

A symbolic name representing a value stored in memory.

Method of Assigning Values to Variables

Using the assignment operator (←).

Common Data Types in Programming

Numbers, booleans, lists, and strings.

Reassignment of Variable Values

Variables can change value during execution.

Effect of Assigning a New Value to a Variable

Replaces the old value with the new one.

Definition of Data Abstraction

Managing complexity by handling data at a higher level.

Advantage of Data Abstraction for Programmers

Makes code easier to manage, reuse, and modify.

Definition of a List

An ordered collection of elements.

Definition of Index in a List

A numerical position assigned to each element.

Indexing in Lists in AP CSP Pseudocode

Lists start at index 1.