AP CSA UNIT 1 VOCABS

class header

The title tag at the top of the blueprint that names it.

• public class ToyCar { <-- This line is the Class Header

  // The blueprint details go here

  }

source code

The actual words and numbers you type into the computer to make a program—like writing down a recipe before baking.

syntax

The spelling and grammar rules of a coding language. If you make a typo or forget a punctuation mark, the computer gets confused!

comment

A note left in the code for humans to read. The computer skips right over it when running the program.

• // This is a comment! The computer ignores this line.

class

The master blueprint or mold. A blueprint for a toy car isn't a real car yet, but it tells you how to make one.

object

The real, tangible thing built from the blueprint. If "ToyCar" is the blueprint, the actual red plastic car sitting on your desk is the object.

• an instance of a class

instantiate

The action of actually making the object from the blueprint (like pressing the "Build" button or opening the box).

• ToyCar myCar = new ToyCar(); <-- "new" INSTANTIATES (creates) the object

object-oriented programming

Building software using "objects" (like Lego blocks) that hold both information and actions, making code easy to organize and reuse.

method

The specific block of code that tells the toy how to perform that action.

public void honk() {

System.out.println("Beep beep!"); <-- Method defining the honk behavior

}

dot operator

The remote control button! You use a period (.) to reach inside an object and press its buttons or check its settings.

• myCar.honk(); <-- The dot (.) tells "myCar" to do its "honk" action

constructor

a block of code that has the same name as the class and tells the computer how to create a new object

• public ToyCar(String color) {

  // Gives the toy its color when created

  }

behavior

What the toy can do (like drive, make a sound, or flash lights).

while

A while loop tells the computer to repeat an action over and over again while a specific rule (condition) stays true. The moment that rule turns false, the computer stops repeating and moves on to the next line of code.

• while (jesse.canMove()) {

jesse.move();

}

class

The master blueprint or mold. A blueprint for a toy car isn't a real car yet, but it tells you how to make one.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A special computer app designed for programmers that acts like an all-in-one workshop for writing, editing, and running code easily.

syntax error

A typo or broken grammar rule in your code that makes the computer get confused and stop before running.

compiler

A fast translator program inside the computer that converts human-written code into machine language and catches syntax errors.

attribute

A characteristic, property, or detail that describes what an object looks like or holds (like paint color or direction).

• public class Painter {

String color = "red"; // "color" is an attribute describing the Painter

}

Procedural Abstraction

Knowing what a action/method does without needing to worry about the complicated details of how it does it behind the scenes.

logic error

(when there is a flaw in the algorithm)

• A mistake in your thinking where the code runs without crashing, but the program gives the wrong answer or makes the wrong move (like turning right when you meant left).

Parameter

The blank variable spot in a method header waiting to accept a specific detail or piece of information.

argument

• The actual value or item you pass into a method call when you ask it to run.

String Literal

Plain text wrapped inside double quotes (" ") that the computer reads as literal word data.

• // "green" is a string literal:

  String colorName = "green";

  myPainter.paint("green");

Algorithm

A step-by-step set of instructions or recipe to accomplish a specific task or solve a problem.

• // An algorithm to move forward and paint 2 spots:

  myPainter.move();

  myPainter.paint("blue");

  myPainter.move();

  myPainter.paint("blue");

Iteration Statement

A loop structure that repeats a chunk of code over and over again while a condition stays true.

exception

type of run-time error…

multi-line comment

/* */ (how to code)

condition

A true-or-false test that the computer checks to decide whether to run a loop or an if statement.

• // "myPainter.canMove()" is the condition being evaluated:

  if (myPainter.canMove()) {

  myPainter.move();

  }

Large Language Model (LLM)

A super-smart type of AI trained on millions of books, articles, and websites so it can understand and generate human-like text and computer code.

Inheritance

An OOP rule where a child class automatically receives all the features, methods, and traits of a parent class.

• // PainterPlus gets everything from Painter automatically:

  public class PainterPlus extends Painter {

  // Inherits move(), turnLeft(), paint(), etc.

  }

Superclass

The parent class that shares its variables and methods down to child classes.

• // Painter is the superclass (parent) in this example:

  public class Painter {

  // Base capabilities defined here

  }

Subclass

The child class that extends a parent superclass to gain its features plus add new powers of its own.

• // PainterPlus is the subclass (child):

  public class PainterPlus extends Painter {

  public void turnAround() {

  turnLeft();

  turnLeft();

  }

  }

Tester Class

The main starting file in a Java project that contains public static void main(String[] args) where the computer actually starts running your project

Method Signature

• The official name and input parameter list of a method that uniquely identifies it to Java

Return Type

• 
  

The category of data that a method finishes up and hands back to you (like int, boolean, or String).

Code Example:

Java

// "boolean" is the return type:
public boolean canMove() {
    return true; 

Return

• Kid Definition: The action of exiting a method and handing a finished piece of information back to whichever code called it.

• Code Example:

  Java

  public int getPaintCount() {
      return 5; // Sends the number 5 back and exits the method
  }

Void

• Kid Definition: A keyword used when a method performs a task but does NOT hand back any data or value when it finishes.

• Code Example:

  Java

  // "void" means no value is returned:
  public void turnLeft() {
      // perform action only
  }

Selection Statement

• 
  

• A decision-making structure (like an if statement) that only executes a block of code if a condition evaluates to true.

• Code Example:

  Java

  if (myPainter.isOnBucket()) {
      myPainter.takePaint();
  }
  

Two-Way Selection Statement

• Kid Definition: An if-else statement that gives the computer two choices: run Block A if true, or run Block B if false.

• Code Example:

  Java

  if (myPainter.canMove()) {
      myPainter.move();
  } else {
      myPainter.turnLeft();
  }

Logical Operator

• Kid Definition: A special symbol (like ! for NOT) used to combine or invert true/false conditions.

• Code Example:

  Java

  // The ! operator flips true to false (if NOT facing north):
  if (!myPainter.isFacingNorth()) {
      myPainter.turnLeft();
  }

print () vs println ()

• print(): Keeps the cursor on the same line & Next statement prints directly after the current text.

• println(): Appends a newline (\n) and moves the cursor to the next line & Next statement prints on a brand new line.

• print(): "Hello" + "World" → Hello World

• println(): "Hello" + "World" →

  Hello

  World