APCSP Vocab

Algorithm

A general step by step process for solving a problem.

Bug

An error in a program.

Byte code

An intermediate language between source code and object code.

Comment

Information in a program that is meant for other programmers and has no effect on execution.

Compile

To translate a program written in a high-level language into a low-level language all at once.

Debugging

The process of finding and removing programming errors.

Exception

Another name for a runtime error.

Executable

Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

Formal language

Languages designed for specific purposes, such as computer programs.

High-level language

A programming language designed to be easy for humans to read and write.

Interpret

To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

Low-level language

A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute.

Natural language

Languages that evolved naturally among people.

Problem solving

The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution.

Program

A sequence of instructions that specifies actions for a computer.

Programming language

A formal notation for representing solutions.

Runtime error

An error that occurs during the execution of a program.

Semantic error

An error that makes a program do something other than what was intended.

Source code

A program in a high-level language before compilation.

Syntax

The structure of a program.

Syntax error

An error that makes it impossible to parse a program.

Assignment statement

A statement that assigns a value to a variable.

Data type

A set of values that determines how values can be used in expressions.

Decrement

Decrease by 1.

Evaluate

To simplify an expression to yield a single value.

Expression

A combination of operators and operands that represents a single result.

Float

A Python data type for representing floating-point numbers.

Increment

To increase by 1.

Initialization

To give a variable an initial value.

Integer division

An operation dividing one integer by another, yielding an integer.

Keyword

A reserved word in programming that cannot be used as a variable name.

Modulus operator

Gives the remainder after performing integer division.

Operator

A symbol representing a computation like addition or multiplication.

Statement

An instruction the Python interpreter can execute.

Str

A Python data type that holds a string of characters.

Type conversion function

A function that converts a data value from one type to another.

Value

A number or string that can be stored in a variable.

Variable

A name that refers to a value.

Variable name

A name given to a variable that reflects its use.

Block

A group of consecutive statements with the same indentation.

Boolean expression

An expression that is either true or false.

Boolean function

A function that returns a boolean value.

Boolean value

There are two boolean values: True and False.

Comparison operator

An operator that compares two values.

Condition

The boolean expression in a conditional statement.

Conditional statement

A statement that controls the flow of execution based on a condition.

Logical operator

An operator that combines boolean expressions.

Nesting

One program structure within another.

Sequence

Step by step processing of an algorithm.

Selection

The process of making a decision based on a boolean expression.

Iteration

Repeated execution of a set of programming statements.

Function

A block of organized code used to perform a task.

Parameter

A variable in a function that refers to one of the pieces of input.

Argument

The value passed to the parameter when the function is called.

Return value

The value provided as the result of a function call.

Dead code

Part of a program that can never be executed.

Counter

A variable used to count something, usually initialized to zero.

Definite iteration

A loop with a specific number of executions.

Escape sequence

An escape character followed by characters to designate a nonprintable character.

Infinite loop

A loop where the terminating condition is never satisfied.

Indefinite iteration

A loop that continues until a condition is met.

Loop

A statement or group of statements executed repeatedly.

Loop variable

A variable used in the terminating condition of a loop.

Nested loop

A loop inside the body of another loop.

Reassignment

Making multiple assignments to the same variable.

Index

An integer variable that indicates an element of a list.

List

A collection of objects identified by an index.

List traversal

The sequential accessing of each element in a list.

Nested list

A list that is an element of another list.

Tuple

A sequential collection of items, similar to a list, but immutable.