AP Computer Science Principles Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary words and definitions crucial for understanding AP Computer Science Principles.

Creativity

An essential part of innovation in computer science.

Abstraction

Minimizes extra details to focus on pertinent information, helping manage complexity.

Data/Information

Input for computing, translated from raw data into consumable information.

Algorithms

Sets of instructions developed to solve computational problems.

Programming

The creation of software that enables problem-solving and is related to algorithms.

The Internet

A group of connected computers and servers.

Prototype

An original model on which later versions are based.

Innovation

Something new introduced in methods, ideas, or devices.

Binary

A way to represent information using only two options (0 and 1).

Bit

A single unit of information in a computer, typically a 0 or 1.

Bandwidth

The transmission capacity measured by the bit rate.

Bit rate

The number of bits conveyed or processed per unit of time.

Latency

The time taken for a bit to travel from its sender to its receiver.

Protocol

A set of rules for data exchange or transmission between devices.

ASCII

A universally recognized raw text format that any computer can understand.

IP Address

A unique number assigned to any item connected to the Internet.

Packets

Small chunks of information formed from larger chunks.

Network Redundancy

Having multiple backups to ensure reliability in high usage or failure.

Router

A computer that forwards data across a network.

DNS

Translates domain names (like example.com) to IP addresses (like 93.184.216.34).

IETF

Develops voluntary Internet standards and protocols, notably the Internet protocol suite.

HTTP

The protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet.

TCP

Provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of packets.

URL

An easy-to-remember address for a web page (e.g., www.code.org).

SSL

Standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between server and browser.

TLS

A protocol providing communication security over networks, successor to SSL.

SMTP

Protocol for sending email messages between mail servers.

POP

Protocol for retrieving emails from a server.

HTML

A markup language used to structure content on the web.

Net Neutrality

The principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally.

Heuristic

A problem-solving approach where finding an optimal solution is impractical.

Lossless Compression

A data compression algorithm that allows original data to be perfectly reconstructed.

Lossy Compression

Irreversible compression method discarding some data for representation.

Image

A type of data used for graphics or pictures.

Metadata

Data that describes other data, such as size and resolution.

Pixel

The fundamental unit of a digital image, representing a single point of color.

Hexadecimal

A base-16 number system using symbols 0-9 and A-F.

RGB

A color model using varying intensities of red, green, and blue light.

Byte

8 bits of data, the standard chunk size in computing.

File Extension

Letters following a period in a file name indicating its format.

Encoding

The processing of information into a memory system.

Decoding

Interpreting and making sense of a message.

Resolution

Dimensions measuring how many pixels are on a screen.

Density

The number of pixels in a certain space.

Zip Folders

Compressed files for storage or transmission.

Text File

A file containing only text without special formatting.

Favicon

A small icon displayed in the browser's address bar next to the URL.

Callback Function

A function specified as part of an event listener called by the system.

Event

An action that triggers something to happen in a program.

Event-Driven Program

A program that runs functions in response to specified events.

Event Listener

A command that triggers a function when a particular type of event occurs.

UI Elements

On-screen objects like buttons and images.

User Interface (UI)

The visual elements through which users interact with an application.

Data Type

Dictates how values in a programming language will be interpreted.

Expression

Any valid unit of code that resolves to a value.

Variable

A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.

Equality Operator

Compares two values and returns a Boolean result.

Global Variable

A variable accessible from any part of the code.

Local Variable

A variable that can only be seen and used within a specific scope.

Variable Scope

Determines which parts of code can access a variable.

Concatenate

To join text strings together in programming.

Conditionals

Statements that run only under specific conditions.

Boolean

A single value of either TRUE or FALSE.

Boolean Expression

An expression that evaluates to true or false.

Big Data

Datasets so large or complex that traditional processing applications are inadequate.

Moore's Law

The prediction that computing power will double every 1.5 to 2 years.

Caesar Cipher

An encryption technique that shifts the alphabet by a set number.

Cipher

A technique that performs encryption.

Encryption

A process of encoding messages to keep them secret.

Public Key Encryption

An encryption scheme where a public key encrypts data but requires a private key to decrypt.

Firewall

Software that allows traffic through according to security rules.

Phishing Scam

A method of tricking users into giving sensitive information.

DDoS Attack

A flood of traffic overwhelming a target server.

Malware

Software intended to damage or disable computers.

Worm

A standalone program that replicates itself to spread across networks.

Digital Divide

The gulf between those with access to the internet and those without.

Antivirus Software

Programs that scan for known viruses on a computer.

Asymmetric Encryption

A scheme where the encryption key differs from the decryption key.

HTTP

The protocol for transferring web pages across the internet.

TLS

A cryptographic protocol providing end-to-end communication security.

Algorithm

A precise sequence of instructions for processes executable by a computer.

Loop

A programming construct that repeats commands.

Function

A named group of programming instructions that perform a specific task.

Event Handling

Coding tasks that allow a program to respond to events.

Debugging

The process of finding and fixing problems in a program.