AP CSP Vocab

Flashcards from lecture notes.

Algorithm

An ordered set of clearly defined instructions used to accomplish a specific task.

(Turtle) Methods

Commands that tell the turtle to do a certain task.

Parameter

A value you can give the method to specify exactly how to behave; found in the parenthesis () after a method.

Input

Algorithms designed to accept information.

Expression

The variable(s) to the right of the assignment operator; an input statement.

Code statement

A part of a program code that expresses an actions to be carried out.

Output

The result of the algorithm.

Python terminal

The window that displays the text.

Variable

A place inside a program that can hold a value.

Data type

The data returned by the input statement.

Assignment operator

The = sign.

String

A sequence of the users input in "".

Integer

Users input, but all together as a number.

Code segment

A collection of program statements that is part of a program.

Iteration

A repeating portion of an algorithm a specified amount of times.

For loop

Iterates code (n) amount of times.

Equality operator

Checking to see if things are equal, then the method is performed (==).

Modulo operator

Calculates the remainder of division.

Relational operators

Test the relationship between 2 variables, expressions, or values (

Conditional expressions

Constructs that use relational operators and evaluate to true or false.

Boolean

An expression that evaluates to either true or false.

While loop

Happens as long as something stays true.

If statements

Only look over it once and move on after it happens, or skips over if condition isn’t met.

Zero iteration condition

Sometimes a loop never starts, it is this when it never does.

Arithmetic operations

Mathematical processes such as +, -, x, /, and modulus operations.

Nested loop/iteration

A loop within another loop.

Decidable problem

Problem for which an algorithm can be written to produce correct output for all inputs.

Undecidable problem

Problem for which no algorithm can be constructed that is capable of always providing a correct Yes-or-No answer.

Bugs

Imperfections and errors in code.

Debug

The process of figuring out why code doesn’t behave as expected and eliminating bugs to make it work as desired.

Sequentially

Code that executes in the order they appear in the code segment.

Initialized

When a variable is given a value for the first time. Until it is, it is undefined.

Block strings

Strings that begin with ‘ ‘ ‘ - this deactivates the code temporarily.

Incrementing counter

Adds one to itself at each iteration of the while loop.

List

A construct that groups data types.

Literals

A fixed value in source code such as 5 or “hello”.

Element

Each item in a list separated by a comma (similar to value).

.append(v)

Adds an element to the end of the list in the blank.

.pop()

Removes last element from a list, (can) assign it to a variable to save for later.

if conditional statement

Evaluates a Boolean (true or false), if met is executed.

if else conditional statement

Same as if statement, but if it isn’t met, it executes the else.

elif statement

Will only execute after the previous conditions evaluate to false and its own condition evaluates to true.

Modular code

A group of code that includes the necessary code to execute a specific desired functionality.

Function definition

def function_name(param1, param2):

Calling a function

function_name(value1, value2)

Procedures

Functions.

Event

A “trigger” that causes a specific part of the program to execute.

Global variables

Variables that are accessible inside and outside of a function.

Newline

The space at the end of a line of text, represented by /n.

Return values

Any value that a method or function gives back to the statement command from which the function or method is called (you get something back).

Logical operators

Boolean operators, compare two Boolean expressions: and, or, not.

Personally identifiable information (PII)

Information about an individual that is unique to the person.

Data breach

The unauthorized and illegal access of confidential or otherwise protected data.

Cookies

Little bits of saved information about your browser.

Phishing

Sending fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate companies with the intent to induce people to share sensitive info.

Malware

Software intended to damage a computing system.

Key-logger

A malware that detects and tracks what keys you press.

Cryptography

The science and art of delivering a message securely and confidentially.

Cipher

A secret or disguised way of writing, a code.

Encryption

The process if encoding data to prevent unauthorized access.

Decrypt

The process of decoding a message, reversing the encryption process.

Substitution cipher

A cipher in which each letter of the alphabet is replaced with a different character or symbol.

Key

Contains info necessary to determine the output of an encryption.

Brute force

Sequentially testing all solutions until it works.

Private key encryption

Encryption method where sender and receiver share a private key.

Symmetric key

Process where a single key is used in both encryption and decryption.

Public key encryption

There are 2 paired keys, one is public and the other is private.

Asymmetric encryption

Encryption using public key encryption.

SSL certificate

Digital document that verifies the person/place.

GUI

Graphical user interface providing human computer interaction.

API

Application programming interface to share code with other programmers.

Logic errors

The logic of your code poses a problem/error.

Syntax errors

Letter, words, punctuation errors, how it is written.

Runtime errors

Error while the program is running, often due to unexpected input or data.

isdigit

Determines if string consists of digits, if yes True, if no False.

isalpha

Determines if string has all letters, if yes, True, if no, False.

Breakpoint

Red dot next to line that pauses there when debugging.

Exception

An error or other message raised by the interpreter or compiler to indicate a special circumstance that should be handled by an exception handler.

Overflow error

Error when computer tries to handle a number outside of the defined range of value.

Byte

8 bits of binary code.

Bandwidth

Speed your computer can download or send data.

Computing device

Device that can connect to the network.

Network path

Directly connected computing devices beginning at sender, ends at receiver.

Servers

Larger computers that host shared resources.

DNS

A big phone book with IP addresses.

Routers

Connect networks and control traffic on the internet.

Packets

Small units of data transmitted on a network.

Metadata

Info about the packet that’s needed for its transmission.

lossless

Method of compression in which original data can be completely recovered from the compressed data without any loss of content.

lossy

Compression where data is lost and cannot be recovered from compressed data.

Threads

Separate independent tasks within a job.

Parallel processing/computing

Using two or more central processing units simultaneously, multitask on the same computing devices using different processors

Sequential processing

Processing that occurs in the order that it’s received.

Scalable

Has the potential to be enlarged to accommodate growth in user demand.

HTTP

Hypertext transfer protocol, powers the web by requesting webpages and send data.

IP

Internet protocol, determines how to address nodes (connection points).

API

Application programming interface, a library of procedures and how to call it.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol, ensures all of your data is being sent, confirms it’s sent correctly and organized right.

UDP

User datagram protocol, sends data like TCP but doesn’t check that it’s all correct, best for videos.

Heuristic

A problem-solving technique or shortcut that prioritizes speed and efficiency over finding the absolute optimal solution.