AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

Function

Simplifies code by breaking it into smaller, reusable pieces.

Call a Function

Executes a predefined function.

Define a Function

Specifies the function's name and body (the code it executes)

Snake Case

Uses lowercase letters and underscores for naming (e.g., my_function)

Decomposition

Breaks code into smaller, manageable parts.

Top-Down Design

Splits a complex problem into smaller, independently solvable parts.

Precondition

A required condition for a function to execute.

Postcondition

A condition that must be true after a function executes

Comment

Explains the purpose of code or functions for better understanding.

Procedural Abstraction

Describes program steps without detailing how they work.

Managing Complexity with Procedural Abstraction

Simplifies problem-solving by focusing only on important details and ignoring unnecessary ones.

Documentation

Guides others on how to use code or functions

For Loops with Karel

Automates repetitive actions by specifying the number of repetitions.

Condition

A true/false statement that determines code execution.

If Statements with Karel

Executes code if a condition is true.

If-Else Statement

Executes one block of code if true; another block if false.

While Loops with Karel

Repeats code while a condition is true.

Control Structure

Directs program flow (e.g., if-else or loops).

Bug

Errors in code—syntax, runtime, or logic.

Debugging

Process of finding and fixing errors.

Rubber Duck Debugging

Explaining code aloud to identify issues.

Pseudocode

Simplified description of an algorithm using plain language

Algorithm

A sequence of steps to solve a problem.

Sequencing

Ordered execution of instructions.

Selection

Chooses a path based on conditions (e.g., if-else).

Iteration

Repeats actions (e.g., loops).

Parameter

A value passed to a function to be used inside it.

Argument

The actual data or values passed into a function to perform a task.

Code

Instructions written in a programming language to perform tasks.

Programming Language

A set of rules used to write code (e.g., Python, Java).

Compiler

A program that translates code written in a programming language into machine-readable instructions.

Software

A set of programs or instructions that tell a computer how to perform tasks.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer, such as the keyboard, monitor, and CPU.

Machine Language

The basic language of computers, made up of binary code (1s and 0s).

The Print Statement

A command in programming that displays text or values on the screen.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A software tool that provides all the features needed for coding, like writing, testing, and debugging.

Variable

Stores data for use in the program.

Variable Types

Categories that define what kind of data a variable can hold (e.g., int, string).

Assignment Statement

A line of code that gives a variable a value.

String Concatenation

Combines strings into one.

STR Function

A function that converts a value to a string.

Input Function

Accepts user input as a string.

Type Conversion

Changing the type of a variable (e.g., from an int to a float).

Operators

Perform mathematical or logical operations (e.g., +, -, *, /).

Modulus

Finds the remainder of a division.

Order of Operations

Follows PEMDAS for solving equations.

Brython: Text

Code used to display text on a webpage using Brython (a Python version for web browsers).

Brython: Circles

Code to draw circles on a webpage using Brython.

Brython: Rectangles

Code to draw rectangles on a webpage using Brython

Event

An action (like a mouse click) that triggers code to run.

Callback Function

A function that is passed as an argument to another function and is called later.

Brython: Mouse Click Events

Code that responds to mouse clicks on a webpage in Brython.

Boolean

Represents true or false values.

Logical Operator: AND

Returns true if both conditions are true

Logical Operator: OR

Returns true if at least one condition is true.

Logical Operator: NOT

Reverses the truth value of a condition.

Comparison Operators

Symbols used to compare two values, such as greater than (>), less than (<), or equal to (==).

= vs ==

= assigns a value to a variable, while == checks if two values are equal.

If Statements

Executes code if a condition is true.

If-Else Statements

Executes different code blocks based on condition truth.

Elif

Used for additional conditions if the first is false.

Brython: Keyboard Events

Code that responds to key presses on a webpage in Brython.

For Loops in Range (1-Parameter)

A loop that repeats a set number of times based on the given number.

For Loops in Range (2-Parameter)

A loop that repeats a set number of times starting from a given number.

For Loops in Range (3-Parameter)

A loop with a starting number, ending number, and step value.

Nested For Loops

A loop inside another loop to repeat tasks in a more complex way.

Random Functions

Functions that generate random numbers or values.

While Loops

Repeats actions while a condition is true.

Break

Ends a loop prematurely.

Continue

Skips the current iteration and moves to the next.

Program Functionality

What a program does or how it behaves

Program Purpose

The reason or goal for creating a program.

Functions with Parameters

Accept input values for processing.

Functions with Return Values

Outputs a result to use elsewhere in the program.

Functions Calling Functions

Uses one function within another.