AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES
VOCABULARY
Algorithm - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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* - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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* - 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.
VOCABULARY
Algorithm - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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* - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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* - 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.
