AP Computer Science Principles Exam ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
syntax error A mistake in typed code that violates the rules of the programming language.
Typically, code with syntax errors will not run.
logic error A mistake in an algorithm or program that causes it to behave unexpectedly or
return the incorrect value.
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 that results when the number of bits is not enough to represent the number
(like a car's odometer 'rolling over').
bit A binary digit, either 0 or 1.
byte A sequence of 8 bits.
roundoff Error that results when the number of bits is not enough to represent the number
with full precision (like using 3 digits to represent π as 3.14).
analog data Values that change smoothly, rather than in discrete intervals, over time.
lossless Compressing data in a way that preserves all data away and allows full recovery of
the original.
lossy Compressing data in a way that discards some data and makes it impossible to
recover the original.
metadata Data about data, like descriptive information about a file or a row in a database.
sequencing The sequential execution of steps in an algorithm or code in a program.
selection A Boolean condition to determine which of two paths are taken in an algorithm or
program.
iteration The repetition of steps in an algorithm or program for a certain amount of times or
until a certain condition is met.
linear search An algorithm that iterates through each item in a list until it finds the target value.
CORRECT ANSWERS
syntax error A mistake in typed code that violates the rules of the programming language.
Typically, code with syntax errors will not run.
logic error A mistake in an algorithm or program that causes it to behave unexpectedly or
return the incorrect value.
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 that results when the number of bits is not enough to represent the number
(like a car's odometer 'rolling over').
bit A binary digit, either 0 or 1.
byte A sequence of 8 bits.
roundoff Error that results when the number of bits is not enough to represent the number
with full precision (like using 3 digits to represent π as 3.14).
analog data Values that change smoothly, rather than in discrete intervals, over time.
lossless Compressing data in a way that preserves all data away and allows full recovery of
the original.
lossy Compressing data in a way that discards some data and makes it impossible to
recover the original.
metadata Data about data, like descriptive information about a file or a row in a database.
sequencing The sequential execution of steps in an algorithm or code in a program.
selection A Boolean condition to determine which of two paths are taken in an algorithm or
program.
iteration The repetition of steps in an algorithm or program for a certain amount of times or
until a certain condition is met.
linear search An algorithm that iterates through each item in a list until it finds the target value.
