AP Computer Science Vocab

Syntax Error

A mistake that breaks the grammar or structure rules of a programming language.

Logic Error

A mistake where the program runs without crashing but does not produce the intended results.

Run-Time Error

A mistake that happens while a program is running.

Overflow Error

A mistake when a number is too large to be stored in the available data type and exceeds its maximum limit.

Bit

The smallest unit of digital information that represents a single binary value of either zero or one.

Byte

A unit of digital information that generally consists of eight bits.

Roundoff

Where the computer approximates a number to store it.

Analogue Data

Continuous, real-world information that is represented by a range of values (Ex. noise or light).

Lossless

A data compression technique that allows for the perfect reconstruction of the original data with no information lost.

Lossy

A data compression technique that permanently removes some information to achieve smaller file sizes.

Metadata

“Data about data” ~ a type of structured information that describes an information resource’s characteristics, making it easier to find, use, manage and understand.

Sequencing

The concept of executing instructions in a step-by-step order to ensure a program runs smoothly.

Selection

A control flow mechanism where a program chooses different execution paths based on conditions to create branching logic.

Iteration

The process of repeating a block of code or set of instructions multiple times.

Linear Search

A basic algorithm that checks each item in a list until the target is found or the end is reached.

Binary Search

An algorithm that finds a target value in a list by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half based on where the value could not be.

Reasonable Time

The number of steps the algorithm takes being less than or equal to a polynomial function.

Heuristic

A shortcut to solve a problem that will often give you an answer that is “close enough” to the right one.

Undecidable

A problem that should give a “yes” or “no” answer but no algorithm exists that can answer correctly on all inputs.

Library

A collection of pre-written, reusable code that developers incorporate into programs for efficiency.

API

A set of rules, protocols, and tools that allows different software applications to communicate, exchange data, and use each other’s features.

Modularity

Breaking a huge code into smaller and more manageable chunks.

Traversal

The systematic process of visiting every element in a data structure exactly once to perform an operation.

Computing Device

Any electronic that processes data automatically.

Computer Network

A group of connected devices that work together to share data and resources.

Bandwidth

The maximum rate data can be transferred over a network connection in a given time.

Protocol

A standardized set of rules and procedures that govern how data is formatted, transmitted, and received between electronic devices on a network.

Scalability

A system’s ability to handle increasing amounts of work by adding resources to ensure that performance and functionality don’t degrade as it grows.

IP (Internet Protocol)

The system for addressing and routing data packets across networks.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

An internet protocol ensuring reliable, ordered and error checked delivery of data over networks.

UDP (User Data Protocol)

A fast, connectionless, and lightweight transport layer protocol that sends data across networks without guaranteeing delivery, order, or error checking.

World Wide Web

A massive, interconnected information system running on top of the internet that creates a vast, navigable space of shared data for users.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

The fundamental request-response protocol for the World Wide Web.

Parallel Computing

A method of speeding up computation by breaking a large problem into smaller parts, executing said parts on multiple processors and then combining results.

Speedup

The measuring of how much faster a task runs with an enhancement.

Distributed Computing

Linking multiple computers to work as one system (similar to parallel processing)

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to modern digital technologies VS. those who don’t.

Crowdsourcing

Using the internet to get ideas from a large, often undefined group.

citizen science

Having the public contribute conputing power or helping classify data using online platfcorms

Creative commons

A set of free, public copyright licenses that allow creators to share, distribute and permit the use of their digital work while retaining certain rights.

Open access

Online information that is available to users free of charge and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions

PII (Personally Identifiable Information)

Any data that can directly or indirectly distinguish or trace an individual’s identity.

Multifactor authentication (MFA)

A security mechanism that requires a user to provide two or more types of evidence to verify their identity.

Encryption

The process of converting readable information into an unreadable format using an algorithm and key to ensure data security.

Symmetric encryption

A method where the same secret key is used to both encrypt and decrypt data.

Public key encryption

An asymmetric cryptographic method using a paired public key and a private key.

Cookie

A small text file created by a web server and stored on a user’s computer by the web browser