AP CompSci Vocab

syntax error

syntax error

a mistake in the program where the rules of the programming language are not followed therefore a syntax error is printed.

logic error

a mistake in the algorithm or program that causes it to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly.

run-time error

A mistake in a program that happens only when the program is actually run, such as a program attempting to access memory that does not exist.

overflow error

Error from attempting to represent a number that is too large.

bit

binary digit; 0 or 1

byte

a group of 8 bits

roundoff

Error that results when the number of bits is not enough to represent the number with full precision

analog data

A continuous representation of data

lossless compression

a data compression algorithm that allows the original data to be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data.

lossy compression

data compression techniques in which some amount of data is lost. This technique attempts to eliminate redundant information.

metadata

data that describes data

Sequencing

Putting commands in correct order so computers can read the commands.

Selection

the process of choosing which sensory information to focus on

Iteration

repetition

linear serach

checking each element of a list until the desired value is found or the whole list is checked

Binary Search

a search algorithm that starts at the middle of a sorted set of numbers and removes half of the data; this process repeats until the desired value is found or all elements have been eliminated.

reasonable time

polynomial in the number of steps an algorithm takes in the worst case based on the input size

heuristic

a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than algorithms

library

a collection of commands / functions, typically with a shared purpose

API

Application Programming Interface, a library of procedures and a description of how to call each procedure.

Modularity

The subdivision of a computer program into separate subprograms

traversal

the process of accessing each item in a list one at a time

computing device

a physical device that can run a program

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can pass from one point to another in a unit of time

protocol

A set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.

Scalability

Refers to how well a system can adapt to increased demands

IP

(Internet Protocol) Routing protocol that is in charge of forwarding packets on the Internet.

TCP

(Transmission Control Protocol) provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of packets on the internet. TCP is tightly linked with IP and usually seen as TCP/IP in writing.

UDP

User Datagram Protocol. Used instead of TCP when guaranteed delivery of each packet is not necessary. UDP uses a best-effort delivery mechanism.

World Wide Web

a system of linked pages, programs, and files

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol - the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet

Parallel Computing

a model in which programs are broken into small pieces, some of which are run simultaneously

speedup

the time used to complete a task sequentially divided by the time to complete a task in parallel

distributed computing

processes and manages algorithms across many machines in a computing environment

digital divide

A worldwide gap giving advantage to those with access to technology

crowdsourcing

using consumers to develop and market products

citizen science

scientific research by amateur scientists

Creative Commons

A kind of copyright that makes it easier for people to copy, share, and build on your creative work, as long as they give you credit for it.

Open Access

A policy that allows people to have read access to things, e.g., libraries or online data

PII

Personally Identifiable Information. Information about individuals that can be used to trace a person's identity, such as a full name, birthdate, biometric data, and identifying numbers such as a Social Security number

MFA

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security control that requires users to verify their identities by providing multiple pieces of evidence before gaining access to a device or application.

Encryption

a process of encoding messages to keep them secret, so only "authorized" parties can read it.

Symmetic Encryption

the same key is used to encode and decode

Public Key Encryption

uses two keys: a public key that everyone can have and a private key for only the recipient

cookie

a small text file that a web server stores on your computer

virus

A tiny, nonliving particle that invades and then reproduces inside a living cell.

phishing

An attack that sends an email or displays a Web announcement that falsely claims to be from a legitimate enterprise in an attempt to trick the user into surrendering private information

rogue access point

a wireless access point that gives unauthorized access to secure networks.