AP CSP Terms

Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure or set of rules used to solve a problem or accomplish a task.

Abstraction

Simplifying complex systems by focusing on high-level concepts and ignoring irrelevant details.

Binary

A number system based on powers of 2, using only two digits:0 and 1.

Boolean Logic

A branch of algebra dealing with variables that can be true or false.

Byte

A unit of digital information consisting of eight bits.

Bug

An error in a computer program causing incorrect results.

Cloud Computing

Delivery of computing services over the internet.

Code

Instructions in a programming language for computers to execute.

Cybersecurity

Measures to protect computer systems from cyber threats.

Data

Information used for analysis, interpretation, or decision-making.

Data Encryption

Converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

Digital Divide

Gap between those with and without digital access.

Digital Footprint

Data trail from online activities.

Encryption

Encoding information for authorized access.

Function

Code performing a specific task in a program.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

The standard markup language used to create web pages.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

A unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network.

Internet

A global network of interconnected computers and other devices that communicate using standardized protocols.

Iteration

The process of repeating a set of instructions a specified number of times or until a certain condition is met.

Malware

Software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or data.

Network

A group of interconnected computers and other devices that can communicate and share resources.

Open Source

Software that is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.

Packet

A unit of data transmitted over a network.

Pseudocode

A simplified, high-level description of a computer program, using natural language rather than specific syntax.

Router

A device that forwards data packets between computer networks.

Server

A computer or software system that provides resources, services, or data to other computers, known as clients, over a network.

Software

Programs and other operating information used by a computer.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

The set of protocols used for transmitting data over the internet.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A web address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet.

Variable

A named storage location in a computer's memory that can hold data, whose value can be changed during program execution.

Virus

A type of malware that can replicate itself and spread to other computers.

Web Browser

A software application used to access information on the World Wide Web.

Algorithmic Bias

Systematic errors or unfairness resulting from the use of algorithms to make decisions.

Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

Big Data

Extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other.

Data Mining

The process of analyzing large data sets to discover patterns, trends, and relationships.

Distributed Computing

A computing system in which components are located on different networked computers and work together to achieve a common goal.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices using graphical icons and visual indicators.

Heuristic

A problem-solving approach that uses rules of thumb or intuition rather than systematic algorithms.

Latency

The time delay between the initiation of a process and its completion, often used to describe the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another in a network.

Metadata

Data that provides information about other data, such as the title, author, and date of creation of a document.

Open Source Software

Software that is distributed with its source code under an open-source license, allowing users to study, modify, and distribute the software freely.

Real-time

Describing systems or processes that respond to inputs or events instantaneously or within a very short time frame.

Web Server

A computer system that hosts websites and delivers web pages to users in response to their requests.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

Machine Learning

A branch of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn from data and improve over time without being explicitly programmed.

Open Data

Data that can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone for any purpose.

Predictive Analytics

The use of data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques to identify the likelihood of future outcomes based on historical data.

Parallel Computing

The simultaneous execution of multiple tasks, aiming to boost computational efficiency by leveraging multiple processors or cores.

Syntax Error

The code violates the rules of the programming language.

Runtime Error

The program is executing and results in the program terminating abruptly.

Logic Error

The program executes without crashing but produces incorrect results due to flawed reasoning or incorrect implementation of algorithms or logic in the code.

Overflow Error

Computation exceeds the maximum value that a data type can represent, often resulting in unexpected or incorrect results.