AP Computer Science Principles – Units 1-5 Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Units 1-5 of the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum.

Collaboration

Working with others to brainstorm, design, and solve problems in programming.

Computing Innovation

A new or improved technological development that significantly impacts society.

Iterative Development

Repeated cycles of designing, building, testing, and refining a program.

Incremental Development

Adding small pieces to a program and testing each addition step-by-step.

Program

A set of instructions a computer executes to perform tasks.

Code Segment

A specific section of code that accomplishes a particular function.

Input

Data or signals received by a program from a user or device.

Output

Data or signals a program produces as a result of processing inputs.

Event-driven Programming

Programming paradigm where program flow is determined by events such as user actions.

Prototype

An early version of a program or product built for testing concepts.

Storyboarding

Using visual sketches to map out program design and user interaction.

User Testing

Having real users interact with a program to identify usability issues and collect feedback.

Program Documentation / Comments

Written explanations within the code to clarify its purpose and logic.

Debugging

The process of finding and fixing errors in code.

Logic Error

An error in a program’s algorithm or reasoning producing incorrect results.

Syntax Error

Mistakes in the code’s grammar or structure that prevent execution.

Run-time Error

Error that occurs while the program is running, often causing it to crash.

Overflow Error

A calculation exceeds the maximum value a system can store.

Bits / Bytes

Basic data units; 1 bit is 0 or 1, and 1 byte equals 8 bits.

Binary System

Base-2 numeral system using digits 0 and 1.

Decimal System

Base-10 numeral system using digits 0-9.

Analog Data

Continuous data with an infinite range of values, e.g., sound waves.

Digital Data

Data represented in discrete binary form (0s and 1s).

Sampling

Measuring analog signals at intervals to convert them into digital data.

Pixel

The smallest single point in a digital image.

Resolution

Clarity of an image, determined by the number of pixels.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

Color model where colors are created by combining red, green, and blue light intensities.

Data Compression

Reducing the size of data files to save storage or transmission time.

Lossless Compression

Compression that reduces file size without losing any data.

Lossy Compression

Compression that removes some data, reducing quality to save space.

Metadata

Data that describes other data, such as file size or author.

Invalid / Incomplete Data

Data that is incorrect or missing essential information.

Cleaning Data

Correcting or removing inaccurate, inconsistent, or incomplete data.

Data Set

A collection of related data points.

Scalability

A system’s ability to handle increasing amounts of data or users.

Search Tools / Filtering Systems

Techniques used to locate specific information within large datasets.

Data Visualization

Representing data graphically to aid understanding, e.g., charts.

Ethical Data Concerns

Issues related to privacy, security, bias, and responsible data collection.

Algorithm

A step-by-step process to solve a problem or perform a task.

Procedural Programming

Organizing code into reusable procedures or functions.

Variable

Named storage location that holds a value in a program.

Expression

Combination of values, variables, and operators that evaluates to a result.

Boolean Logic

Logic that evaluates to true or false using AND, OR, NOT operators.

Conditional Statement

Code structure that performs actions based on true/false conditions.

Loop / Iteration

Repeating a set of instructions until a condition is met.

Sequence

Executing code statements in order, one after another.

Selection

Choosing which code block to execute based on a condition (if/else).

Procedure / Function

Reusable block of code designed to perform a particular task.

Parameter / Argument

Input passed into a function to customize its behavior.

List

Ordered collection that stores multiple values in sequence.

Index

Position number of an item in a list, starting from 0.

Element

An individual item within a list.

Traversal

Accessing each item in a list, typically using loops.

Binary Search

Algorithm that repeatedly halves a sorted list to locate a target value.

Simulation

Computer model of real-world processes or systems for analysis.

Data Abstraction

Managing complexity by simplifying data using general structures like lists.

Code Efficiency

Writing code that achieves goals using minimal time and space resources.

Algorithmic Efficiency (Speedup)

Improving an algorithm to reduce runtime or processing power needed.

Computing Device

Any machine capable of running programs, e.g., smartphone, server.

Computing System

Network of interconnected computing devices working together.

Computer Network

Collection of devices connected to communicate and share resources.

Internet

Global system of interconnected computer networks.

World Wide Web (WWW)

System of linked web pages accessed via the internet.

Web Browser

Software application used to access and display websites.

Protocol

Standardized rules governing data transmission over a network, e.g., HTTP.

IP Address

Unique numerical label assigned to each device on a network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

Address used to access resources on the web.

DNS (Domain Name System)

System that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.

Router

Device that directs data packets between networks.

Path

Route data takes through a network from source to destination.

Packet

Small chunk of data sent across a network.

Datastream

Continuous flow of data packets transmitted over a network.

Bandwidth

Maximum rate of data transfer across a network.

Redundancy

Duplicate components used to increase system reliability.

Fault Tolerance

Ability of a system to continue functioning despite failures.

Scalable Systems

Systems designed to handle growth in users or data effectively.

Parallel Computing

Performing multiple computations simultaneously to speed processing.

Distributed Computing

Using multiple devices to solve a problem collectively.

Sequential Computing

Performing tasks one after another in a specific order.

Speedup (Parallel Solutions)

Performance improvement gained by running tasks in parallel vs. sequentially.

Effects of Computing

Positive and negative impacts of computing technologies on society.

Digital Divide

Gap between groups who have and lack access to computing resources.

Accessibility

Designing technologies usable by people with disabilities.

Computing Bias

Prejudices in programs or algorithms due to biased data or design flaws.

Crowdsourcing

Gathering information or contributions from a large online group.

Ethical Computing Practices

Responsible decisions about privacy, security, and fairness in computing.

Intellectual Property

Legal protections for creations like software, music, and digital content.

Citation

Giving credit to original creators of ideas, code, or content.

Safe Computing

Practices that protect personal data and secure systems.

Personal Data Protection

Measures to safeguard individuals’ private information from misuse.

Cybersecurity

Protecting systems and data from digital threats and unauthorized access.