AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the AP Computer Science Principles lecture notes.

User interface

Inputs and outputs that facilitate user interaction with software.

Input

Data sent to a computer for processing.

Output

Data sent from a program to a device.

Program

A collection of instructions that a computing device executes.

Program event

Action or occurrence that triggers specific behavior in a program.

Event driven program

Type of program that responds to events triggered by user actions or system events.

Sequential program

Program that executes instructions in order.

Iterative development process

Programmers develop working prototypes.

Incremental development process

Programmers break down programs into smaller, functional components.

Library

A collection of functions that can be used in different programs.

Program documentation

Crucial for understanding how every part of a program works, fosters collaboration.

Syntax Errors

Occurs when the spelling/punctuation rules of a programming language are not followed.

Logic Errors

Mistake in a program's base logic that causes unexpected behavior.

Run-Time Errors

Error that occurs when the program is running.

Overflow Errors

Error that occurs when a computer tries to handle a number outside of its defined range of values.

Debugging

Finding and fixing errors.

Data

Collection of facts.

Number base

The number of digits or digit combos that a system uses to represent values.

Bit

Smallest unit that is stored or manipulated (0/1).

Byte

8 bits.

Analog Data

Data thatis measured continuously.

Sampling

Recording an analog signal at regular discrete moments and converting to digital signals.

Data Abstraction

Filtering out details to focus on the info needed to process data.

Data compression

Set of steps of packing data into a smaller space while allowing for the original data to be seen.

LOSSLESS DATA COMPRESSION

Run length encoding works by replacing repeating data with a run that represents the number and value of the repeated data.

LOSSY DATA COMPRESSION

Packs data in such a way that the compressed package can be decompressed and the data can be pulled out the same way it was given.

Correlations

Refers to the statistical relationship between two or more variables.

Metadata

Data about data.

Large data sets

Big Data.

Data mining

Process of examining very large data sets to find useful information such as patterns.

Data abstraction

Simplifies a set of data by representing it in some general way.

Bar-Chart

A chart or graph that presents categorical data with rectangular bars with heights or lengths proportional to the values that they represents.

Scatter plots

Uses dots to represent values for two different numeric variables.

Line graphs

Use lines to represent the values.

Histogram/Bar graph

Uses bars to represent values.

Variable

Placeholder in your program for a value.

Global Variable

Can be used anywhere, located outside of a loop.

Local variable

Used only in part of the code it was created, variable is inside an event.

Boolean

Can only represent two values: true or false.

Data types

Different categories of data a computer can represent.

Substring

Part of an existing string.

List

Ordered sequence of elements, also known as arrays.

Nested conditional

Conditional statements inside conditional statements.

Element

Individual value in a list.

Filter a List

Subset of elements from the original list.

linear search

Checks each element of a list in order until the desired value is found.

Procedure

A group of programming instructions.

Parameters

Input variables of a procedure.

Arguments

Values passed into the procedure.

Procedural Abstraction

Procedures allow you to solve a large problem based on the solution to smaller subproblems.

Algorithm

A set of instructions used to accomplish a specific task or solve a problem.

Selection

Making a decision based on a condition or criteria.

Sequencing

Consists of steps that go in order.

Iteration

Repetition of a set of instructions until a specific condition is met.

Infinite loops

Loops that continue to repeat indefinitely because the condition controlling the loop is always true or there is no condition at all.

MOD operator

a is divided by b and MOD gives you what the remainder would be.

Simulations

The process of creating a model or representation of a real world system or phenomenon on a computer.

Decision problems

Yes or no answer.

Optimization problem

Wants the best answer! example: finding the shortest path between two cities.

Algorithm’s efficiency

Estimate of how many computational resources (power, memory, time) it uses.

Heuristic

An approximate solution.

IP ADDRESSES

Internet Protocol: unique numerical label assigned to each device.

Routing

Finding a path to take.

Bandwidth

Maximum amount of data a network connection can move in a certain amount of time.

Internet Protocol

Two major protocols: The TCP governs how packets are created and reassembled while the IP moves packets to their destinations.

Latency

Amount of time it takes for bits to arrive.

Protocol

Standard set of rules that everyone agrees on.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

World Wide Web

A system of web pages, programs and files.

Scalability

The capacity for the system to change in size and scale to meet new demands.

Fault tolerance

It can function properly even in the event of one part failing.

Parallel Computing

A program is broken into smaller sequential computing operations using multiple PROCESSORS.

Speedup

Measure of how much faster one solution or algorithm performs compared to another solution or algorithm when solving the same problem.

The Digital divide

Unequal access to technology + increasing importance of technology.

Computing bias

Technology exacerbates existing human biases, perpetuating inequality.

Digital literacy programs

Tendencies or inclinations, especially those that are unfair or prejudicial.

Machine learning models

Computer programs that can learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being programmed.

Citizen science

Scientific research that the general population helps to conduct.

Crowdsourcing

Practice of getting a large amount of input or information from people on the internet.

Intellectual Property

Creations of the mind.

Public Domain

Creative works that are free to use without permission.

Copyright

Legal right that the creator of a work has to it.

Plagiarism

Taking the content of someone else and claim it as your own.

Creative Commons

Public copyright license that creators use when they want to GIVE others the right to use their work.

Fair Use

Allows the use of copyrighted material without permission for limited purposes such as new reporting.

Open sourcing

Allows for work to be freely distributed, and modified.

Open access

Refers to research available to the general public free of restrictions like academic journals.

Targeted marketing

Advertising is intended to help businesses turn a profit, but it incentivizes the collection of private information and has the potential to be abused.

Personally Identifiable Information

The information that can be used to identify you.

Virus

Program that can gain unauthorized access to something and copy itself.

Worms

Can operate independently.

Malware

Software that is intended to damage.

Security patch

Update to app and fixes bugs.

Firewall

Monitors incoming traffic but cannot identify and block all malware.

Antivirus software

Software that scans files and identifies malware.

Phishing

Tricking users into providing their personal information by posing as a trustworthy group.

Keylogging

Records your keystrokes to gain access to passwords and other information.

Rogue access point

Wireless access point that gives unauthorized access to a secure network.

Distributed denial of service (DDos)

Multiple computers overwhelm website with too many requests.

Safe Computing

Authentication measures prevent people from gaining unauthorized access to your account.