AP CSP Unit 3 - Intro to Python Code

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, terminology, error types, data types, operators, and event handling for AP Computer Science Principles Unit 3: Intro to Python Code.

Abstraction

Pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems. Allows you to hide details to help you manage complexity, focus on relevant concepts, and reason about problems at a higher level.

Algorithm

A precise sequence of instructions for processes that can be executed by a computer.

Arithmetic Operators

Operators used to perform functions that include multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

Binary

A way of representing information using only two options.

Bit

The single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a $0$ or $1$. A contraction of "Binary Digit".

Boolean

A single value of either TRUE or FALSE.

Boolean Expression

In programming, an expression that evaluates to True or False.

Code

To write code, or to write instructions for a computer.

Concatenate

To link together or join. Typically used when joining together text Strings in programming (e.g., "Hello, " + name).

Debugging

Finding and fixing problems in an algorithm or program.

Global Variable

A variable that can be used anywhere in a program, unlike a local variable, which can only be used in one portion of a program.

Pseudocode

In computer science, a plain language description of the steps in an algorithm or another system. It often uses structural conventions of a normal programming language, but is intended for human reading rather than machine reading.

Procedure

A term used on the AP Exam for both reporters and commands. Some programming languages distinguish between a function (which returns a value) and a procedure (which performs an operation but does not return a value).

Selection

A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.

Sequencing

Putting commands in correct order so computers can read the commands; the process of ordering the code.

String

Any finite (measurable) sequence of characters.

Variable

A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.

Programming

Writing instructions for a digital tool.

Command

An instruction for the computer. Many commands put together make up algorithms and computer programs.

Debug

To identify and remove errors from a computer program.

Comments

Descriptive text used to explain portions of code. Comments do not change the way a program behaves, but are important for the human programmer to remember what the code does.

Syntax Error

A mistake in the program where the rules of the programming language are not followed (e.g., missing quotation marks, missing brackets, or misspelled commands).

Runtime Error

An error that does not occur until the program has started to execute but that prevents the program from continuing.

Logic Error

A mistake in the algorithm or program that causes it to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly (e.g., calculating area using addition instead of multiplication).

IDE

Integrated Development Environment; a programming environment that includes an editor, compiler, and debugger.

Output

Data that has been processed by a program into a useful format, commonly displayed or sent to devices such as monitors, printers, or speakers.

Input

What is put in, taken in, or operated on by any process or system, typically entered using devices like a mouse, keyboard, scanner, or microphone.

print()

Python command that displays a value to the console.

Keyword

Reserved words in Python that cannot be used as identifiers or variable names (e.g., def or print).

str

In Python, stands for string; anything on the keyboard, usually a word or phrase, surrounded by double (") or single (") quotes.

int

In Python, stands for integer; a whole number that can be positive, negative, or $0$.

float

In Python, stands for floating point; a decimal number such as $0.0$, $3.2$, or $3.14$.

Variable Assignment

Assigning a value to a variable name using the assignment operator (=), such as var = 10.

String Operators

Operators applied to strings, such as concatenation ("a" + "b" > "ab") or replication ($3$ * "a" > "aaa").

Input Statement

A statement that takes a string value in from a user (e.g., >>> var = INPUT("please input a value")).

// (Floor / Integer Division)

Integer division that truncates and removes the decimal part of division, rounding down (e.g., $5 // 2 = 2$).

% or MOD

The modulus operator that divides numbers and gives the remainder (e.g., $5 \% 2 = 1$).

Exponent (**)

In Python, an arithmetic operator represented by two asterisks that raises a number to a power (e.g., $3 ** 2 = 9$).

Mouse Event

A user-triggered interaction with a mouse that executes a defined function via a handler (e.g., add_mouse_click_handler(draw_circle)).

Key Event

A user-triggered keyboard press handled by a bound function that checks the key pressed (e.g., event.key == "ArrowUp") via add_key_down_handler.