AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
% - This symbol is the modulas symbol; gives remainder after division.
// - This symbol is the single line comment symbol.
Abstract class - A superclass that represents an abstract concept, and therefore
should not be instantiated.
Abstraction - A technique used to command newly-created instances to perform
different actions.
Abstract method - A method under an abstract class that has no implementation,
just a header.
Accessor Method - a method that accesses an object but does not change it
Access Specifier - a keyword that indicates the accessibility of a feature, such as
private or public
Algorithm - A list of actions to perform a task or solve a problem.
,AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
aliasing - Having two references for the same object. This causes unintended
problems.
Alpha - In-house group of programmers
Analog - Continuous representation of physical property - wave sound
Animation - A sequence of actions that simulate movement.
Argument - Describes how to perform the procedure.
Arithmetic Operators - A lexical unit used to perform basic mathematical
operations by taking two operands and returning the result of the mathematical
calculation.
Array - An object that holds multiple variables. An index can be used to access the
variables.
Assignment - placing a new value into a variable
,AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
Assignment Operator - This word is used to describe a Java statement that
initializes a variable in a program.
attribute - Member variable of a class that are defined by variables; properties of
an object.
Automatic - Capture data with sensors (temperature, sound, pressure, light,
chemical, etc.).
Axes - The three dimensional x, y, and z coordinates that each object resides on.
They can be manipulated to change the object's position and appearance.
Base case, termination condition - causes the method to end.
behavior - Methods or functions.
Beta - Selected group of outside users that are willing to give feedback on
program.
Binary Operator - an operator that takes two arguments, for example + in x + y
, AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
binary search - How it works recursively: if the last element in the first half is
greater than the key, cut that half and repeat. if the last element in the first half is
less than the key, cut the second half in half and do the same.
Bit - Binary Digit; the smallest unit of information, having two possible values: 0
and 11. A data element consisting of n bits has 2n possible values
black box - any device whose workings are not understood by its user
Block - piece of code enclosed in a {} pair. When a block is exited, the memory for
a local variable is automatically recycled.
Boolean - This data type can only hold the value true or false.
bottom up development - implement lowest level, independent classes first
Break - A keyword used to terminate a loop from executing before the loop
condition is met. break the array into two halves, mergesort the left and right half,
merge the two subarrays into one.
% - This symbol is the modulas symbol; gives remainder after division.
// - This symbol is the single line comment symbol.
Abstract class - A superclass that represents an abstract concept, and therefore
should not be instantiated.
Abstraction - A technique used to command newly-created instances to perform
different actions.
Abstract method - A method under an abstract class that has no implementation,
just a header.
Accessor Method - a method that accesses an object but does not change it
Access Specifier - a keyword that indicates the accessibility of a feature, such as
private or public
Algorithm - A list of actions to perform a task or solve a problem.
,AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
aliasing - Having two references for the same object. This causes unintended
problems.
Alpha - In-house group of programmers
Analog - Continuous representation of physical property - wave sound
Animation - A sequence of actions that simulate movement.
Argument - Describes how to perform the procedure.
Arithmetic Operators - A lexical unit used to perform basic mathematical
operations by taking two operands and returning the result of the mathematical
calculation.
Array - An object that holds multiple variables. An index can be used to access the
variables.
Assignment - placing a new value into a variable
,AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
Assignment Operator - This word is used to describe a Java statement that
initializes a variable in a program.
attribute - Member variable of a class that are defined by variables; properties of
an object.
Automatic - Capture data with sensors (temperature, sound, pressure, light,
chemical, etc.).
Axes - The three dimensional x, y, and z coordinates that each object resides on.
They can be manipulated to change the object's position and appearance.
Base case, termination condition - causes the method to end.
behavior - Methods or functions.
Beta - Selected group of outside users that are willing to give feedback on
program.
Binary Operator - an operator that takes two arguments, for example + in x + y
, AP Computer Science A Terms rated A
binary search - How it works recursively: if the last element in the first half is
greater than the key, cut that half and repeat. if the last element in the first half is
less than the key, cut the second half in half and do the same.
Bit - Binary Digit; the smallest unit of information, having two possible values: 0
and 11. A data element consisting of n bits has 2n possible values
black box - any device whose workings are not understood by its user
Block - piece of code enclosed in a {} pair. When a block is exited, the memory for
a local variable is automatically recycled.
Boolean - This data type can only hold the value true or false.
bottom up development - implement lowest level, independent classes first
Break - A keyword used to terminate a loop from executing before the loop
condition is met. break the array into two halves, mergesort the left and right half,
merge the two subarrays into one.
