AP Computer Science Principles Final: vocab

Binary

A way of representing information using only two options.

Decimal

A way of representing information using ten options.

Bit

A contraction of 'Binary Digit'; the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

Byte

8 bits.

Overflow Error

Error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.

Round-off Error

Error from attempting to represent a number that is too precise. The value is rounded.

Analog Data

Data with values that change continuously, or smoothly, over time.

Digital Data

Data that changes discretely through a finite set of possible values.

Sampling

A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring the analog data at regular intervals called samples.

Lossless Compression

A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something without losing any information. This process is reversible.

Lossy Compression

A process for reducing the number of bits needed to represent something in which some information is lost or thrown away. This process is not reversible.

Intellectual Property

A work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a piece of writing or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.

Creative Commons

A collection of public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted work.

Computing Device

A machine that can run a program, including computers, tablets, servers, routers, and smart sensors.

Computing System

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

Computing Network

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

Path

The series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.

Protocol

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

IP Address

The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.

Internet Protocol (IP)

A protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device.

Router

A type of computer that forwards data across a network.

Packet

A chunk of data sent over a network.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components so that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail.

Fault Tolerant

Can continue to function even in the event of individual component failures.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol - the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet.

Domain Name System (DNS)

The system responsible for translating domain names like example.com into IP addresses.

Internet

A computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

Digital Divide

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet, based on socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic characteristics.

String

An ordered sequence of characters.

Boolean Value

A data type that is either true or false.

Comparison Operators

Logical operator

NOT, AND, and OR, which evaluate to a Boolean value.

Conditional Statement

Affects the sequential flow of control by executing different statements based on the value of a Boolean expression.

Function

A named group of programming instructions.

Function Call

A command that executes the code within a function.

User Interface

The inputs and outputs that allow a user to interact with a piece of software.

Input

Data that are sent to a computer for processing by a program.

Output

Any data that are sent from a program to a device.

Program Statement

A command or instruction.

Program

A collection of program statements.

Sequential Programming

Program statements run in order, from top to bottom.

Event Driven Programming

Some program statements run when triggered by an event.

Documentation

A written description of how a command or piece of code works or was developed.

Comment

Form of program documentation written into the program to be read by people.

Pair Programming

A collaborative programming style in which two programmers switch between the roles of writing code and tracking or planning high level progress.

Debugging

Finding and fixing problems in an algorithm or program.

Development process

The steps or phases used to create a piece of software.

Event

Associated with an action and supplies input data to a program.

Expression

A combination of operators and values that evaluates to a single value.

Assignment Operator

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

Variable

A named reference to a value that can be used repeatedly throughout a program.

Metadata

Data about data.

Citizen Science

Scientific research conducted in whole or part by distributed individuals.

Cleaning Data

A process that makes the data uniform without changing its meaning.

Correlation

A relationship between two pieces of data.

Crowdsourcing

The practice of obtaining input or information from a large number of people via the Internet.

Information

The collection of facts and patterns extracted from data.

Data bias

Data that does not accurately reflect the full population or phenomenon being studied.

Data filtering

Choosing a smaller subset of a data set to use for analysis.