AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing AP Computer Science Principles concepts.

Logic Error

A mistake in the algorithm or program that causes it to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly.

Syntax Error

A mistake in the program where the rules of the programming language are not followed.

Run-time Error

A mistake in the program that occurs during the execution of a program.

Overflow Error

An error that occurs when a computer attempts to handle a number that is outside the defined range of values.

Round-off Error

Error that occurs in computing when the representation of a number used in a calculation is not exact, due to the limitations of finite-precision arithmetic.

Hardware

The physical components of a computing device.

Software

The instructions in a programming language to the computing device.

Program

A collection of program statements that performs a specific task when run by a computer.

Code Segment

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

Program Input

Data sent to a computer for processing by a program.

Event

The action that supplies input data to a program.

Iterative Development Process

Requires refinement and revisions based on feedback, testing, or reflection throughout the process.

Incremental Development Process

Breaks down the problem into smaller pieces and makes sure each piece works before adding it to the whole.

Program Documentation

A written description of the function of a code segment, event, procedure, or program and how it was developed.

Comments

A form of programming documentation written into the program that do not affect how the program runs.

Bit

Short for a single binary digit and is either 0 or 1.

Byte

8 bits.

Abstractions

Find common features to generalize the program and can also help shrink the code.

Analog Signal

Has values that change smoothly over time, rather than in discrete intervals.

Digital Signal

An analog signal that has been broken up into steps.

Variable

An abstraction inside a program that can hold a value.

Lossy Compression

Can significantly reduce the file size while decreasing resolution.

Lossless Compression

No data is lost; the original file can be reproduced without any lost data.

Information

The collection of facts and patterns extracted from data.

Cleaning Data

A process that makes data uniform without changing meaning.

Predicting Algorithms

Use information collected from big data to influence our lives.

Metadata

Data that describe your data.

Algorithm

A set of steps to do a task.

Machine Code

A strictly numerical language that runs fast but is hard to use.

Assignment Operator

Allows a program to change the value represented by a variable.

Modulus

A mathematical operation that returns the remainder after an initial number (dividend) is divided by another number (divisor).

List

A data abstraction that reduces the level of complexity of a program by giving a collection of data a name without referencing the specific details of the representation.

Boolean Value

A data type that only has 2 possible values, true or false.

Linear Search

An algorithm for finding an element in a list that starts from the beginning and sequentially checks each element.

Binary Search

A search algorithm that halves the number of elements that need to be searched after every comparison. The list must be sorted.

Flowchart

Ways to represent algorithms visually.

Appending

Adding a value to the end of a list.

Inserting

Requires the list name, what you are adding, and at what index you intend to add the item at.

Traversing a list

Accessing all elements of the list one by one.

Procedure

A set of code that is referred to by name and can be called at any point in a program simply by using the procedure’s name.

Sequential Statements

Statements that are executed as written in order in the program.

Selection Statements

Statements that use the “if (condition)” structure and Boolean values to determine which code to execute.

Iterative Statements

Statements that repeat code as many times as specified before continuing with the rest of the program (loops).

Parameters

Allow the calling program to send values to the procedure. They are passed to the procedure as arguments when the procedure is called.

Return Statement

Can end a procedure before the end of the code is reached or send a value back to the calling program.

API

Application Programming Interface; documentation provides the information needed to set up the interface and use the newly connected software.

Instance of a problem

A specific example.

Decision Problem

Has a yes or no answer.

Optimization Problem

Should find the best solution for the problem.

Heuristic Approach

An approach that may not be optimal or the best but is close enough to use as a solution.

Decidable Problem

One where an algorithm can be written that results in a correct “yes” or “no” answer for all inputs.

Undecidable Problem

Does not have an algorithm that can give a correct “yes” or “no” for all cases of the problem.

Computing Device

A physical artifact that can run a program.

Computing System

A group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose.

Computer Network

A group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time.

Routing

The process of finding a path from sender to receiver.

Protocol

An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system.

Scalability

The capacity for the system to change in size and scale to meet new demands.

IP

A protocol that is responsible for addressing and routing your online requests.

TCP

A protocol that defines how computers send packets of data to each other.

Packets

Small chunks of data.

UDP

A protocol that allows computer applications to send messages without checking for missing packets to save on time needed to retransmit missing packets.

Fault Tolerance

When a system can support failures and continue to function.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra paths that can mitigate the failure of a system if other components fail.

End-to-end architecture

The process between computers of breaking down and assembling packets at each end.

Internet

Refers to the hardware; made up of computers, cables, routers, and other components that make up the network.

World Wide Web

Refers to the software used on the internet. HTTP is a protocol used by the World Wide Web to transmit data.

Sequential Computing

A computational model in which operations are performed in order one at a time.

Parallel Computing

Involves breaking up a task into smaller, sequential pieces. Then those sequential pieces are all executed at the same time.

Distributed Computing

A computational model in which multiple devices are used to run a program.

Hardware Failure

When a hardware device, such as a computer or printer, stops working properly due to an issue with the physical components.

Operational Failures

Any issues or breakdowns in the operation of a business, machine, system, process, etc.

Cyberattacks

Malicious attempts to damage or disrupt computer systems, networks, and data.

Digital Divide

The difference in access to technology including access to computers and the internet.

Human Bias

Computing innovations can reflect existing human bias.

Crowdsourcing

Practice of obtaining input or info from many people via the internet.

Citizen Science

Scientific research using public participation in scientific research.

Creative Commons

An American nonprofit that is dedicated to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon and share legally.

Open Source

Programs that are made freely available and may be redistributed or modified.

Open Access

Online research output free of all restrictions on access and free of many restrictions on use, such as copyright or license restrictions.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Info about an individual that identifies, links, relates, or describes that person.

Authentication Measures

Protect devices and info from unauthorized access. Examples of authentication measures include passwords and multifactor authentication.

Encryption

The process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access.

Decryption

The process of decoding the data.

Malware

Malicious software intended to damage a computing system or take partial control of its operations.

Computer Viruses

Malicious programs that can copy themselves and gain access to a computer in an unauthorized way.

Phishing

A technique that directs users to unrelated sites that trick the user into giving personal data.

Keylogging

Use of a program to record every keystroke made by the computer user in order to gain fraudulent access to passwords and other confidential info.

Rogue Access Point

A wireless access point that gives unauthorized access to secure networks.