AP Comp Sci Vocab

Abstraction

Abstraction

To reduce detail or information for a purpose in a program; to help improve focus on a relevant concept; or to understand or solve a problem

Algorithm

A step-by-step set of instructions implemented by a program to develop and express solutions to a computational problem.

Append

Adding an element to the end of a list

Assignment

When you put a value into a memory location and give that location a name in a program; on exam operator is represented with an arrow

Binary number system

two-digit number system where each number represents a power of two

Bit

A single binary digit which can contain a 0 or a 1

Boolean logic

Branch of algebra where all values are represented by either true or false

Certificate authority

Busses digital certificates that validate ownership of encrypted keys used in secured communications; used in authentication step of public key encryption; managed by public key infrastructure

Circuit

A complete path that allows electrical current to flow from a high voltage to low voltage; fundamental concept used in a component design to manipulate data

Citizen science

Collection and analysis of data by non-scientists on home computers; often performed in a collaboration with professional scientists

Cloud computing/storage

Rather than using a local computer, this form of computation uses a network of remote serves to calculate and/or store data; has fostered new ways to communicate and collaborate

Complexity (of an algorithm)

The amount of logical reasoning (sometimes measured in lines of code) required to create an algorithm

Condition

A decision in an algorithm based on a boolean value (true or false) used to control selection in an algorithm

Crowdsourcing

Multiple people working (often online) together to complete a task

Cybercrime

Criminal activities carried out by using a computer or network

Database

A large collection of data that can be organized, searched, clustered, classified, transformed, displayed, and/or filtered to gain new insight or to make conclusions

Data compression

Technique that reduces the number of bits stored or transmitted; could be lossy or lossless

Digital certificate

Forms digital connection between the identity of the recipient and the public key on this certificate; used for authentication step of public key encryption; managed by Certificate Authorities

Decryption

Using mathematical algorithms to decode a message; usually this algorithm is used to protect encrypted information from unauthorized viewers

Efficiency (of an algorithm)

Measure of the execution time and memory usage of an algorithm; often represented using Big-O notation

Encryption

Using mathematical algorithms to encode (hide) a message so only those that should read it can read it

Index (of a list)

Location in a list, must be a number greater than 0 or less than or equal to the length of the list in end-of-course exam

Input

The data that an algorithm needs to be able to run

Internet

The worldwide connection of devices to each other via hardware, including routers, servers, and other devices, each of which is given an IP address and must follow protocols

Internet Engineering Task Force

Develops and oversees internet standards and internet protocols

Iteration (in an algorithm)

A loop or repeated behavior in an algorithm; one of the three different parts of any algorithm

Key (in encryption or decryption)

Variable applied to a block of text to encrypt or decrypt that text; the length of the key is a factor in the security and performance of encryption algorithms

Linear

A search algorithm that finds a target by looking at each item, one at a time, until the end of the set is researched or the target is found

List

A collection of data in which each item is identified by a corresponding index

Logic gate

One of the building blocks of a computer chip, logic gates typically take two inputs and return either true or false; combinations of operations of gates can create different streams of logic used in calculations and processes in advanced chi[s such as integrated circuts

Lossless compression

Data compression technique where the number of bits needed to store or transmit information is reduced and the original data can be completely reconstructed

Lossy compression

Data compression technique where the number of bits needed to store or transmit information is reduced, but the original data cannot be reconstructed

Modulus (mod)

Mathematical operation that returns the remainder

Network

Group of two or more systems linked together

Output

What is made available after the input data is transformed by an algorithm

Packet

Way in which data is packaged during data transfer on a network

Parameter

Input to a procedure

Phishing

Cybercrime where a website, email, or other digital form of communication attempts to obtain information from a person by disguising itself as something that the person would normally use to share the information

Plagiarism

Occurs when one person presents another’s ideas as their own

Procedure

Named grouping of programming instructions code used to manage complexity or repeated code in a program

Process

A behavior that uses memory, a central processing unit, input, and output that can execute alone or at the same time as other processes

Program

Set of computer instructions assembled to help us create, analyze, understand, and/or solve problems or to automate a process

Proxy server

Allows a user to make connections to another network service without going through the local server that the person would normally need to use

Public key encryption

Asymmetric encryption scheme; involves two keys (one public, one private) where anyone can use the public key to encrypt a message, but only the sender and recipient know the private key so their data is protected

Routing (of packets)

Way in which data is sent on a network

Selection

Using a condition to control the logical path taken by an algorithm; one of the three different parts of any algorithm

Sequencing

Ordering the steps of an algorithm; one of three different parts of any algorithm

Server

Device that manages access and responds to requests on a network

Simulation

A program created to model a real situation with less detail to understand or solve a problem

Specification

The key details that need to be included in an algorithm

Pseudocode

Words used to organize thoughts to help plan writing code; pseudocode helps programmers translate requirements into code