Unit 1 (AP CS)

Innovating

the process of imagining something that does not yet exist, but that has potential value, and making it real through the application of design, implication, and production.

Iteration

repeatedly applying a process with the goal of coming closer and closer to a solution

Iterative Development Process

the process by which computer programs are designed, developed, and tested in repeated cycles

Debug

to identify and remove errors from a computer program

Algorithm

a finite set of instructions that accomplish a specific task.

Sequencing

executes statements one at a time - in order, one after another. 

Iteration

repetition - one complete step of a loop, repeated until a certain condition is met. 

Selection

uses "if...then" to tell a computer how to select a step or to tell the sequence that it should be executed.

Imperative Statement

a command statement with a verb phrase that indicates an operation to perform (example: move forward)

Descriptive Qualifier

a specific adverb or adjective that further qualifies or limits the meaning of a word (example: left shoe

Natural Language

a complex, but structured language, both written and spoken, that has evolved naturally in humans through use, repetition, and adaptation.

Binary

machine code that is a direct, low-level translation from the high-level source code, and is a pattern of 0s and 1s

Abstraction

the process of removing or suppressing details to create a manageable level of complexity

Artificial Language

a limited size language, usually developed by a small group for specific purposes. Usually much simpler and structured

Ambiguity

uncertainty or being open to more than one interpretation

Visual Programming Language

a programming language that lets users drag and drop icons into organized blocks of code to create programs rather than typing text

High-Level Language

a programming language that is easier for humans to read, write, and parse. Guaranteed to be unambiguous

Low-Level Language

a programming language that has little or no abstraction and communicates closely to the hardware using machine language. Less natural for humans

Complication

the process of source code being translated into machine code

Binary

machine code that is a direct, low-level translation from the high-level source code, and is a pattern of 0s and 1s

Bit

binary digit - a 0 or 1.

Abstraction

the process of removing or suppressing details to create a manageable level of complexity.

Source Code

programs written in high-level languages. 

Machine Code

machine-level instructions that are uniquely read by computer processors using patterns of 1s and 0s. 

Complication

the process of source code being translated into machine code. 

Visual Programming Language

a programming language that lets users drag and drop icons into organized blocks of code to create programs rather than typing text.

Sprite

an object in Scratch that performs functions through scripting.

Stage

The background of a project in Scratch which can have scripts, backdrops, sound, etc.

Costume

the appearance of a sprite.

Motion Blocks

medium-blue colored blocks used to control a sprite's movement in Scratch.

Reporter Blocks

a block in Scratch with round edges that contains a value (numbers, sentences, etc.) and can be used inside other blocks.

Look Blocks

purple-colored blocks of code in Scratch that are used to control a sprite's appearance.

Sensing Blocks

light-blue colored Boolean blocks that are used to detect different factors of a project such as touching.

Operator Blocks

light-green colored blocks of code used to handle strings and math equations in Scratch.