APCSP Units 1-7 vocab

Binary

A way of representing information using only two options.

Decimal

A way of representing information using ten options.

Bit

A contraction of 'Binary Digit'; the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

Byte

8 bits.

Overflow Error

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

Round-off Error

Error from attempting to represent a number that is too precise; the value is rounded.

Analog Data

Data with values that change continuously over time, like music or the position of a sprinter.

Digital Data

Data that changes discretely through a finite set of possible values.

Sampling

A process for creating a digital representation of analog data by measuring at regular intervals.

Lossless Compression

Reducing bits needed to represent something without losing information; reversible.

Lossy Compression

Reducing bits needed to represent something where some information is lost; not reversible.

Intellectual Property

A work or invention result of creativity, to which one has rights and may apply for a patent or copyright.

Creative Commons

A collection of public copyright licenses enabling free distribution of copyrighted works.

Computing Device

A machine that can run a program, including computers and smart devices.

Computing System

A group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose.

Computing Network

A group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

Path

The series of connections between computing devices on a network.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time.

Protocol

An agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system.

IP Address

The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.

Internet Protocol (IP)

A protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers to each device.

Router

A type of computer that forwards data across a network.

Packet

A chunk of data sent over a network.

Redundancy

The inclusion of extra components so a system can continue to function if components fail.

Fault Tolerant

Can continue to function even if individual components fail.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet.

Domain Name System (DNS)

The system that translates domain names into IP addresses.

Internet

A network of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

Digital Divide

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet based on various characteristics.

User Interface

The inputs and outputs that allow a user to interact with software.

Input

Data sent to a computer for processing by a program.

Output

Any data sent from a program to a device.

Program Statement

A command or instruction in a program.

Program

A collection of program statements that run one command at a time.

Sequential Programming

Program statements run in order, from top to bottom.

Event Driven Programming

Some program statements run when triggered by an event.

Documentation

A written description of how a command or piece of code works.

Comment

Form of documentation written into a program for human reading.

Pair Programming

A collaborative programming style where two programmers switch roles.

Debugging

Finding and fixing problems in an algorithm or program.

Development process

Steps used to create software, including investigating and testing.

Event

An action that supplies input data to a program.

Expression

A combination of operators and values that evaluates to a single value.

Assignment Operator

Allows a program to change the value represented by a variable.

Variable

A named reference to a value used repeatedly throughout a program.

String

An ordered sequence of characters.

Boolean Value

A data type that is either true or false.

Comparison Operators

Operators that indicate a Boolean expression (e.g.,

Logical Operator

Operators like NOT, AND, and OR, which evaluate to a Boolean value.

Conditional Statement

A statement that executes different statements based on a Boolean value.

Function

A named group of programming instructions.

Function Call

A command that executes the code within a function.

Metadata

Data about data.

Citizen Science

Scientific research conducted by individuals who contribute data.

Cleaning Data

Making data uniform without changing its meaning.

Correlation

A relationship between two pieces of data.

Crowdsourcing

The practice of obtaining input from a large number of people via the Internet.

Information

The collection of facts and patterns extracted from data.

Data Bias

Data that does not accurately reflect the full population being studied.

Data Filtering

Choosing a smaller subset of data for analysis.

List

An ordered collection of elements.

Element

An individual value in a list assigned a unique index.

Index

A method for referencing elements in a list using numbers.

Iteration

A repetitive portion of an algorithm that repeats a specified number of times.

Infinite Loop

Occurs when the ending condition never evaluates to true.

Traversal

The process of accessing each item in a list one at a time.

Data Abstraction

Managing complexity by giving data a name without specific details.

Parameter

A variable in a function definition, acting as a placeholder for values.

Argument

The value passed to the parameter in a function.

Return

Returns the flow of control to the point where the function was called.

Procedural Abstraction

Using procedures based on what they do, not how they do it.

Library

A group of functions that may be used to create new programs.

API

Specifications for how functions in a library behave.

Modularity

The subdivision of a program into separate subprograms.