AP Computer Science

Unit 7

Parameter

A variable in a function definition. Used as a
placeholder for values that will be passed through the
function. (a generic representation for something in a
function)

Argument

The value that is passed to the parameter. ( a specific
piece of info needed to make the function work
properly – supplied when the function is called)

Return

Used to return the flow of control to the point where
the procedure (function) was called and to return the
value of expression

Modularity

The subdivision of a computer program into separate subprograms

Procedural Abstraction

Extracting shared features to generalize functionality.
A process that allows a procedure to be used only by
knowing what it does and not by how it actually does
it. It allows the solution to a large problem to be
based on the solution of smaller subproblems.
Procedures are created to solve each of the
subproblems

Library

A group of functions (procedures) that may be used in creating new programs

API

Application Program Interface: specifications for how functions in a library behave and can be used.