AP Computer Science Principles
Vocabulary||Terminologies and
Correct Definitions||Study Now
Algorithm -CORRECT ANSWER At its core, an algorithm is really just a generalized,
conceptual solution to a problem that can later be implemented in some real-world form
like a computer program.
Application Program Interface -CORRECT ANSWER Application program interface
(API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for constructing software applications. An
API specifies how software components should interact. In addition, APIs are used
when programming graphical user interface (GUI) components.
Binary -CORRECT ANSWER A numeric system of base 2 that only uses combinations
of the digits zero and one; this is used in one of the lowest levels of abstraction.
Computers operate in binary, as they store data and perform calculations using only
zeros and ones. While a single binary digit can be used to represent True (1) or False
(0) in boolean logic, multiple binary digits can be used in conjunction to store large
numbers and perform complex functions. Computers translate between binary and what
you actually work with such as numbers and text.
Binary Search -CORRECT ANSWER A search algorithm that locates the position of a
target value within a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half; can
only be used when the list is sorted. Because of its divide-and-conquer approach, the
amount of work required to find an item grows much more slowly with Binary Search
than with Sequential Search. In fact, with this logarithmic behavior
Boolean Function* -CORRECT ANSWER Any function based on the operations AND,
OR, and NOT, and whose elements are from the domain of Boolean algebra. A function
whose arguments, as well as the function itself, assume values from a two-element set
(usually {0,1})
Central Processing Unit -CORRECT ANSWER CPU, or processor, is the brains of the
computer where most calculations take place. Contains the circuitry necessary to
interpret and execute program instructions.
Computational Artifact -CORRECT ANSWER Something created by a human using a
computer and can be, but is not limited to, a program, an image, an audio, a video, a
presentation, or web page file
Cryptography -CORRECT ANSWER The science of coding and decoding messages in
order to keep them secure. Coding takes place using a key that ideally is known only by
the sender and intended recipient of the message.
,Floating Point Numbers -CORRECT ANSWER As the name implies, floating point
numbers are numbers that contain floating decimal points. Examples include, the
numbers 5.5, 0.001, and -2,345.6789. Numbers without decimal places are called
integers. Computers recognize real numbers that contain fractions as floating point
numbers.
Hexadecimal -CORRECT ANSWER Hexadecimal describes a base-16 number
system. That is, it describes a numbering system containing 16 sequential numbers as
base units (including 0) before adding a new position for the next number. The
hexadecimal numbers are 0-9 and then use the letters A-F. Used to represent digital
data because it utilizes fewer digits than binary.
Integers -CORRECT ANSWER An integer is a whole number (not a fraction) that can
be positive, negative, or zero. In computer science, an integer is a datum of integral
data type, a data type that represents some finite subset of the mathematical integers.
Integral data types may be of different sizes and may or may not be allowed to contain
negative values.
Iterations -CORRECT ANSWER Iteration is the repetition of part of an algorithm until a
condition is met or for a specified number of times. This is often called a 'loop'.
Recursive functions repeatedly execute themselves as part of their operation. Upon
completing all instructions and resetting to the first one iteration has been completed.
Libraries -CORRECT ANSWER In computer science, a library is a collection of non-
volatile resources that a program can use often to develop software. Libraries are
particularly useful for storing frequently used routines because you do not need to
explicitly link them to every program that uses them. The linker automatically looks in
libraries for routines that it does not find elsewhere. Resources which may be found in
libraries include data, documentation, message templates, pre-written code, classes, or
values.
Linear/Sequential Search -CORRECT ANSWER A process that checks every element
in the list sequentially until the desired element is found or all elements have been
searched. Can be used in any type of list. Has linear performance.
Lossless Data Compression -CORRECT ANSWER With lossless compression, every
single bit of data that was originally in the file remains after the file is uncompressed. All
of the information is completely restored. This is generally the technique of choice for
text or spreadsheet files, where the loss of words or financial data could pose a
problem. PNG is an image format that provides lossless compression.
Lossy Data Compression -CORRECT ANSWER Lossy compression reduces a file by
permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant information. When the
file is uncompressed, only a part of the original information is still there (although the
user may not notice it). Lossy compression is generally used for video and sound,
, where a certain amount of information loss will not be detected by most users. JPEG
provides lossy compression.
Metadata -CORRECT ANSWER Metadata is data that describes other data. Metadata
summarizes basic information about data, which can make finding and working with
particular instances of data easier. It provides information concerning an item's content
such as image resolution and size.
Parameters* -CORRECT ANSWER In computer programming, a parameter or
"argument" is a value that is passed into a function. Most modern programming
languages allow functions to have multiple parameters. While the syntax of a function
declaration varies between programming languages, a typical function with two
parameters may look something like this:
function graphXY(x, y)
{
...
}
generalize a solution by allowing a procedure to be used instead of duplicate code;
provide different values as input to procedures when they are called in a program.
Pseudocode -CORRECT ANSWER Pseudocode is a detailed yet readable description
of what a computer program or algorithm must do. It may also describe an operating
principle. It is expressed in a formally-styled natural language rather than in a
programming language intended for humans. The conventions of normal programming
continue.
Sequencing -CORRECT ANSWER The execution of each step/action of an algorithm
in the precise order in which the statements are given.
One of the three building blocks of algorithms. The other two logic structures are
selection and iteration. In a sequence structure, an action, or event, leads to the next
ordered action in a predetermined order. The sequence can contain any number of
actions, but no actions can be skipped in the sequence. The program, when run, must
perform each action in order with no possibility of skipping an action or branching off to
another action.
The term sequence is often applied to video and audio.
Simulations -CORRECT ANSWER The use of a computer to represent the dynamic
responses of one system by the behavior of another system modeled after it. A
simulation uses a mathematical description, or model, of a real system in the form of a
computer program.
Vocabulary||Terminologies and
Correct Definitions||Study Now
Algorithm -CORRECT ANSWER At its core, an algorithm is really just a generalized,
conceptual solution to a problem that can later be implemented in some real-world form
like a computer program.
Application Program Interface -CORRECT ANSWER Application program interface
(API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for constructing software applications. An
API specifies how software components should interact. In addition, APIs are used
when programming graphical user interface (GUI) components.
Binary -CORRECT ANSWER A numeric system of base 2 that only uses combinations
of the digits zero and one; this is used in one of the lowest levels of abstraction.
Computers operate in binary, as they store data and perform calculations using only
zeros and ones. While a single binary digit can be used to represent True (1) or False
(0) in boolean logic, multiple binary digits can be used in conjunction to store large
numbers and perform complex functions. Computers translate between binary and what
you actually work with such as numbers and text.
Binary Search -CORRECT ANSWER A search algorithm that locates the position of a
target value within a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half; can
only be used when the list is sorted. Because of its divide-and-conquer approach, the
amount of work required to find an item grows much more slowly with Binary Search
than with Sequential Search. In fact, with this logarithmic behavior
Boolean Function* -CORRECT ANSWER Any function based on the operations AND,
OR, and NOT, and whose elements are from the domain of Boolean algebra. A function
whose arguments, as well as the function itself, assume values from a two-element set
(usually {0,1})
Central Processing Unit -CORRECT ANSWER CPU, or processor, is the brains of the
computer where most calculations take place. Contains the circuitry necessary to
interpret and execute program instructions.
Computational Artifact -CORRECT ANSWER Something created by a human using a
computer and can be, but is not limited to, a program, an image, an audio, a video, a
presentation, or web page file
Cryptography -CORRECT ANSWER The science of coding and decoding messages in
order to keep them secure. Coding takes place using a key that ideally is known only by
the sender and intended recipient of the message.
,Floating Point Numbers -CORRECT ANSWER As the name implies, floating point
numbers are numbers that contain floating decimal points. Examples include, the
numbers 5.5, 0.001, and -2,345.6789. Numbers without decimal places are called
integers. Computers recognize real numbers that contain fractions as floating point
numbers.
Hexadecimal -CORRECT ANSWER Hexadecimal describes a base-16 number
system. That is, it describes a numbering system containing 16 sequential numbers as
base units (including 0) before adding a new position for the next number. The
hexadecimal numbers are 0-9 and then use the letters A-F. Used to represent digital
data because it utilizes fewer digits than binary.
Integers -CORRECT ANSWER An integer is a whole number (not a fraction) that can
be positive, negative, or zero. In computer science, an integer is a datum of integral
data type, a data type that represents some finite subset of the mathematical integers.
Integral data types may be of different sizes and may or may not be allowed to contain
negative values.
Iterations -CORRECT ANSWER Iteration is the repetition of part of an algorithm until a
condition is met or for a specified number of times. This is often called a 'loop'.
Recursive functions repeatedly execute themselves as part of their operation. Upon
completing all instructions and resetting to the first one iteration has been completed.
Libraries -CORRECT ANSWER In computer science, a library is a collection of non-
volatile resources that a program can use often to develop software. Libraries are
particularly useful for storing frequently used routines because you do not need to
explicitly link them to every program that uses them. The linker automatically looks in
libraries for routines that it does not find elsewhere. Resources which may be found in
libraries include data, documentation, message templates, pre-written code, classes, or
values.
Linear/Sequential Search -CORRECT ANSWER A process that checks every element
in the list sequentially until the desired element is found or all elements have been
searched. Can be used in any type of list. Has linear performance.
Lossless Data Compression -CORRECT ANSWER With lossless compression, every
single bit of data that was originally in the file remains after the file is uncompressed. All
of the information is completely restored. This is generally the technique of choice for
text or spreadsheet files, where the loss of words or financial data could pose a
problem. PNG is an image format that provides lossless compression.
Lossy Data Compression -CORRECT ANSWER Lossy compression reduces a file by
permanently eliminating certain information, especially redundant information. When the
file is uncompressed, only a part of the original information is still there (although the
user may not notice it). Lossy compression is generally used for video and sound,
, where a certain amount of information loss will not be detected by most users. JPEG
provides lossy compression.
Metadata -CORRECT ANSWER Metadata is data that describes other data. Metadata
summarizes basic information about data, which can make finding and working with
particular instances of data easier. It provides information concerning an item's content
such as image resolution and size.
Parameters* -CORRECT ANSWER In computer programming, a parameter or
"argument" is a value that is passed into a function. Most modern programming
languages allow functions to have multiple parameters. While the syntax of a function
declaration varies between programming languages, a typical function with two
parameters may look something like this:
function graphXY(x, y)
{
...
}
generalize a solution by allowing a procedure to be used instead of duplicate code;
provide different values as input to procedures when they are called in a program.
Pseudocode -CORRECT ANSWER Pseudocode is a detailed yet readable description
of what a computer program or algorithm must do. It may also describe an operating
principle. It is expressed in a formally-styled natural language rather than in a
programming language intended for humans. The conventions of normal programming
continue.
Sequencing -CORRECT ANSWER The execution of each step/action of an algorithm
in the precise order in which the statements are given.
One of the three building blocks of algorithms. The other two logic structures are
selection and iteration. In a sequence structure, an action, or event, leads to the next
ordered action in a predetermined order. The sequence can contain any number of
actions, but no actions can be skipped in the sequence. The program, when run, must
perform each action in order with no possibility of skipping an action or branching off to
another action.
The term sequence is often applied to video and audio.
Simulations -CORRECT ANSWER The use of a computer to represent the dynamic
responses of one system by the behavior of another system modeled after it. A
simulation uses a mathematical description, or model, of a real system in the form of a
computer program.
