Unit 2 APSCP Study Guide

What type of input does the I Have A Dream app expect?

Tactile

What type of output does the I Have A Dream app generate?

Audible

 What is MIT App Inventor an example of?

• A programming language

• An Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

• A cloud application

• A software system for developing mobile apps

What elements would be considered part of the user interface (UI) for an app?

• The color of an app’s background screen.

• A button that appears on the screen.

• An error message that appears when something goes wrong.

• An audible click that happens when the user taps the button.

Which Palette drawer (folder) contains the Player component?

The Media drawer

What is true about algorithms?

• Algorithms consist of a combination of sequences, selections, and/or repetitions.

• Algorithms are step-by-step procedures.

• An algorithm is a sequence of precise instructions.

 Pseudocode is ______.

• easy to read

• not a programming language

• a mixture between a natural language and a programming language

Sequencing in algorithms means that each step of the algorithm is executed _____.

in the order they are given

A computing innovation includes a program as an integral part of its function. What would be considered a computing innovation?

• Office software (spreadsheets and documents)

• A mobile app

• Self-driving cars

Why are “if” blocks used in the I Have a Dream app?

“if” blocks are used to determine, when the buttons are clicked, whether a speech is already playing.

What are some examples of good names for a button?

• ClearButton

• MLKButton

• ButtonClear

• DogButton

What is hardware? Give four examples.

• A computer’s electronic and mechanical components.

• Examples: integrated circuits, motherboard, memory chip, hard drives and other storage media used to store software and data

What is software? Give four examples.

• The programs that control the computer.

• Examples: iOS, Firefox browser, AI2 App Inventor, Excel

What is a CPU?

It carries out, or processes, the instruction in a computer program.

What is the difference between low-level and high-level programming languages?

High-level programming languages must be translated by software programs into low-level machine languages before they can be run on a computer.

Give an example of an event on your phone.

• Clicking a button

• Shaking the phone

• Changing location

How long is a millisecond?

1/1000 of a second

Define abstraction. What are other terms for abstraction? Give an example of a general abstraction.

• A general representation that stands for some collection of individual instances.

• Condensing and simplifying

• The word “dog”

List the hardware components from the lowest to the highest level of abstraction.

• Physical circuit, logic gate, integrated circuit, RAM chip, motherboard

What is an AND gate? OR gate?

• AND - only true when both A and B are true

• OR - true when either A or B, or both, are true

What is a general purpose computer? Give four examples.

• One that can run many different programs.

• Examples: tablet, smartphone, laptop, desktop

What is a computer’s main memory?

Stores data, called RAM, disappears when the computer loses power, stores program instructions used by the CPU.

 Define program.

A sequence of instructions that controls the computer.

What is machine language?

A programming language that is directly readable by a computer's CPU.

What is a motherboard?

• Houses the computer’s main electronic components

What is a chip?

An integrated circuit consisting of millions of tiny circuits.

What is a character?

A symbol that requires one byte of storage.

What is data?

• Distinct information that is formatted in a specific way

• It exists in a variety of forms like text on paper or bytes stored in electronic memory.

What is a bit?

Short for binary digit.

What is intellectual property?

Refers to any property that is created using original thought, it includes patents, copyrights, trademarks, and programs.

What is a network?

A group of two or more computer systems linked together.

What is a disk drive?

A randomly addressable and re-writable storage device.

What is a data center?

Physical and virtual infrastructure used by enterprises to house computer, server, and networking systems and components for the company’s IT needs.

What is a data network?

A telecommunications network which allows computers to exchange data.

List a social media app. If you were the developer of this app, how would you reduce the harmful effects?

• This is your opinion. 

• Make sure you identify which social media app you chose.

• List the harmful effects of the social media app, and how you would reduce them.

How is Computer Science more than just “programming”?

Programming, designing, problem-solving, creativity

Why is it important to use “meaningful” names for your variables and components?

When you are coding, you will know what the variable stands for and what the component means.