Computer Science Principles Practice Flashcards

Practice vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering search algorithms, JavaScript list and string methods, function logic, and cybersecurity fundamentals.

Binary Search Prerequisite

The requirement that the list must be sorted for the search to function correctly.

Linear Search

A type of search that checks each item in a list one by one.

Linear Search Best Case

The scenario where the target is the first item in the list.

Linear Search Worst Case

The scenario where the target is the last item in the list.

Binary Search Iteration

A single step in binary search where the middle value is checked, resulting in the list being cut in half.

Speedup Formula

$$\text{Sequential time} \div \text{Parallel time}$$

JavaScript List Creation

Syntaxes such as $\text{var list} = [\text{item1, item2, ...}];$

List Operations

Common tasks performed on lists including Append, Insert, and Remove.

Index Shifting

The process where items shift down and indexes update automatically after an item is removed from a list.

appendItem()

A function that adds an item to the very end of a list.

removeItem()

A function used to remove an item at a specific index from a list.

substring()

A function that returns a specific part of a string.

substring(start, end)

A method where the result includes characters from the start index up to, but not including, the end index.

$$\text{"HELLO".substring(1, 4)}$$

Returns the string $\text{"ELL"}$.

$$\text{"APCSP".substring(0, 2)}$$

Returns the string $\text{"AP"}$.

Return Statement

A command that serves two purposes: returning a value to the caller and stopping the execution of the function.

Function Return Limit

A function can return a maximum of $\text{one}$ value.

Function Purpose

Used by programmers to organize and reuse code, as well as to manage complexity within a program.

Function Definition vs. Calling

Defining a function refers to writing its code, while calling a function refers to executing or running that code.

Even Number Check

The boolean expression $\text{num} \% 2 == 0$.

Odd Number Check

The boolean expression $\text{num} \% 2 != 0$.

Boolean Flag Loop Mistake

A common error where the flag is initialized to true at the start of a loop instead of false.

API Documentation Components

Standard documentation containing a description, parameters, and the return value.

Malware

Software designed specifically to be harmful to a computer or system.

Phishing

A method of tricking users into providing personal information, such as a fake email requesting login credentials.

Keylogging

The malicious practice of recording every keystroke made by a user.

Rogue Access Point

A fake network setup to provide unauthorized access to data.

Multi-factor Authentication

A security method that requires multiple independent ways to verify a user's identity.

Symmetric Encryption

An encryption method that uses the same single key for both the encryption and decryption processes.

Public Key Encryption

A system where a public key is used for encryption and a separate private key is used for decryption.

Caesar Cipher

A basic encryption technique that involves shifting letters of the alphabet by a fixed number.

For Loop Components

The three essential parts of a loop: initialization, condition, and increment.

$$i++$$

A shorthand command that increases the value of the variable $i$ by $1$.

$$i < \text{list.length}$$

A condition ensuring a loop runs only while the counter is within the valid bounds of the list.

List Start Index

In JavaScript, all lists begin at index $0$.

list.length

A property that returns the total count of items currently in a list.

Out of Bounds Error

An error triggered if you attempt to access an index equal to $\text{list.length}$.

First Letter Extraction

The operation $\text{substring(0, 1)}$ used to isolate the first character of a string.

Filtering Criteria Example

Using $\text{word.substring(0, 1) == "S"}$ to identify words that begin with the letter S.