AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards

# Collaboration
# Working together in the software development process can:
# - Lead to better problem-solving
# - Encourage diverse thinking
# - Make debugging easier
# Example:
# One student writes code while another reviews it,
# then they switch roles (pair programming).

# Program Function and Purpose
# A program is created to solve problems or perform tasks.
# Example:
# A calculator app helps users compute math problems.
# Purpose: Make arithmetic faster and easier.

# Program Design and Development
# The process of planning, creating, and refining a program's functionality.
# Example:
# A web app requires planning its structure and designing the user interface.
# Testing and feedback refine its design.

# Debugging
# Syntax Error: Mistake in code structure
# Logic Error: Code runs but doesn't do the right thing
# Example:
num = "5"
print(num + 1)
# Error: Can't add str and int

# Fix:
print(int(num) + 1)  # Output: 6

# Binary Numbers
# Binary is the base-2 number system (0s and 1s).
# Used to represent all digital data.
# Example:
# 1010 in binary = 10 in decimal.

# Data Compression
# Reduces the size of data to save space or transmit faster.
# Lossless vs. Lossy compression.
# Example: JPEG (lossy), PNG (lossless).

# Extracting Information from Data
# Process of analyzing and retrieving useful insights from data.
# Example:
# Extracting customer purchasing trends from sales data.

# Using Programs with Data
# Programs are used to analyze, process, and visualize data.
# Example:
# A program that sorts data into categories and graphs the results.

# Variables and Assignments
# Variables store data that can change. Assignments give values to variables.
# Example:
x = 10  # Assigning 10 to the variable x
y = x + 5  # Assigning the value of x + 5 to y

# Data Abstraction
# Simplifying complex data structures to focus on the necessary information.
# Example:
# Using a list of dictionaries to store student names and grades, rather than creating individual variables for each student.

# Mathematical Expressions
# A combination of numbers, variables, and operators to perform calculations.
# Example:
x = 5
y = 3
result = x * y  # result = 15

# Strings
# A string is a sequence of characters enclosed in quotes.
# Example:
name = "Alice"
greeting = "Hello, " + name  # Concatenates "Hello, " with "Alice"

# Boolean Expressions
# Expressions that evaluate to either true or false.
# Example:
x = 5
y = 10
result = x < y  # result = True

# Conditionals
# A statement that runs code based on whether a condition is true or false.
# Example:
if x > y:
    print("x is greater")
else:
    print("y is greater")

# Nested Conditionals
# A conditional statement inside another conditional statement.
# Example:
if x > y:
    if x > z:
        print("x is the greatest")
    else:
        print("z is the greatest")
else:
    print("y is the greatest")

# Iteration
# Repeating a set of instructions until a condition is met.
# Example:
for i in range(5):
    print(i)  # Output: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

# Developing Algorithms
# The process of creating a set of instructions to solve a problem.
# Example:
# To sort a list of numbers:
# 1. Compare the first two elements.
# 2. If needed, swap them.
# 3. Repeat until all elements are sorted.

# Lists
# A list is an ordered collection of elements.
# Example:
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
print(numbers[2])  # Output: 3 (the third element)

# Binary Search
# A search algorithm that finds the position of a target value within a sorted array.
# Example:
# Given a sorted list [1, 3, 5, 7, 9], and target 5:
# - Start in the middle (5), find the target at index 2.
# Efficient with a time complexity of O(log n).

# Calling Procedures
# A procedure (or function) is a set of instructions that can be executed when called.
# Example:
def greet(name):
    print("Hello, " + name)
greet("Alice")  # Output: Hello, Alice

# Developing Procedures
# The process of creating functions to perform specific tasks in a program.
# Example:
# A procedure that calculates the square of a number:
def square(x):
    return x * x

# Libraries
# A collection of pre-written code that provides common functionality.
# Example:
# The math library in Python:
import math
print(math.sqrt(16))  # Output: 4.0

# Random Values
# The generation of values that are not predictable.
# Example:
import random
print(random.randint(1, 10))  # Output: A random integer between 1 and 10

# Simulations
# Using models to represent real-world phenomena and experiment with different scenarios.
# Example:
# Simulating a dice roll:
import random
roll = random.randint(1, 6)
print("Dice roll: " + str(roll))

# Algorithmic Efficiency
# The measure of how fast an algorithm performs based on the size of the input.
# Example:
# A linear search has O(n) time complexity, while binary search has O(log n) time complexity.

# Undecidable Problems
# Problems that no algorithm can solve in a reasonable amount of time.
# Example:
# The halting problem: determining if a program will run forever or stop.

# The Internet
# A global network that connects millions of devices and allows communication.
# Example:
# Websites, emails, and file sharing are all services that use the internet.

# Fault Tolerance
# The ability of a system to continue operating even when parts of it fail.
# Example:
# RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) systems replicate data across multiple disks.

# Parallel and Distributed Computing
# The use of multiple computers or processors to solve problems faster.
# Example:
# A large-scale weather simulation using multiple computers to process data simultaneously.

# Beneficial and Harmful Effects
# The impact of computing on society, including both positive and negative effects.
# Example:
# Beneficial: Improved healthcare through data analysis.
# Harmful: Privacy concerns due to personal data collection.

# Digital Divide
# The gap between those who have access to modern computing technology and those who do not.
# Example:
# Some rural areas may have limited access to the internet compared to urban areas.

# Computing Bias
# When a computing system produces unfair or unrepresentative results due to biased data or algorithms.
# Example:
# A facial recognition system that is less accurate for people with darker skin tones due to biased training data.

# Crowdsourcing
# The practice of obtaining input, services, or solutions by soliciting contributions from a large group of people.
# Example:
# Wikipedia is a crowdsourced project where users contribute and edit articles.

# Legal and Ethical Concerns
# Issues related to privacy, security, and the fairness of computing systems.
# Example:
# The use of personal data without consent raises ethical concerns and potential legal issues.

# Safe Computing
# Practices that ensure secure, responsible, and ethical use of computers and the internet.
# Example:
# Using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and avoiding malware.

Potential Questions for the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam

1. Concepts of Computing

What is the purpose of abstraction in computing?
- Describe how abstraction is used in different levels of computing, from hardware to software.
Explain the difference between a high-level and a low-level programming language.
- Give examples of each and describe how they interact with computer hardware.
What is the role of an operating system?
- Describe how operating systems manage hardware, software, and user interactions.
How do hardware and software interact?
- Explain how software relies on hardware resources to execute tasks.

2. Algorithms and Problem Solving

What is an algorithm?
- Define an algorithm and explain why efficiency is important in algorithm design.
Explain the concept of algorithmic complexity.
- What is the difference between O(n), O(log n), and O(1) complexity?
How does a binary search algorithm work?
- Write a pseudocode or function that demonstrates binary search on a sorted array.
Describe the difference between a linear search and a binary search.
- How do their efficiencies compare in terms of time complexity?
What is the significance of developing algorithms to solve problems?
- Explain the process of designing an algorithm and give an example of a real-world problem and its solution using an algorithm.

3. Data Structures

What is a list and how does it differ from other data structures?
- Discuss the benefits and limitations of lists compared to arrays, stacks, and queues.
What is the difference between a list and a tuple in Python?
- When would you use one over the other?
Explain the concept of a dictionary (or hash map).
- Describe how key-value pairs work and provide a use case example.
What is recursion?
- Provide an example of a recursive function and explain its benefits and challenges.

4. Boolean Logic

What is a Boolean expression?
- Write Boolean expressions and explain how they are evaluated.
Explain how AND, OR, and NOT operators work.
- Provide examples of each and explain how they are used in programming.
What are truth tables?
- Create a truth table for a complex Boolean expression.

5. Programming and Software Development

What is a function/procedure, and why is it important?
- Provide an example of how to define and call a function in Python or JavaScript.
Explain the concept of a “return” statement in a function.
- How does a return statement affect the execution of a program?
What is the purpose of debugging?
- Describe common types of errors (syntax errors, logic errors, runtime errors) and how to debug them.
Describe the process of software development using an iterative approach.
- What is the difference between a waterfall model and an agile model in software development?

6. Data and Information

What is the difference between data and information?
- Provide examples and describe how data can be processed into useful information.
What is the concept of data abstraction?
- Explain how data can be represented in more abstract ways to make processing easier.
What is data compression?
- Discuss the importance of compressing data and give examples of compression algorithms (e.g., Huffman coding, Run-Length Encoding).

7. Internet and Networks

How does the Internet work?
- Describe the role of protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, and DNS in ensuring successful communication over the internet.
What is the difference between client-server and peer-to-peer models?
- Provide examples of systems that use each model.
What is encryption, and why is it important for secure communication?
- Explain how encryption works and give an example of encryption algorithms.
What are DNS and IP addresses?
- Describe the role of the Domain Name System and how IP addresses are used to identify devices on a network.

What is the digital divide, and how does it affect access to technology?
- Discuss the social and economic impacts of unequal access to computing resources.
Explain the concept of computing bias.
- Provide examples of how bias can be introduced into algorithms and its consequences.
What are the ethical implications of crowdsourcing?
- Discuss the pros and cons of crowdsourcing in computing and how it impacts individuals and society.

AP Computer Science Principles Flashcards

Potential Questions for the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam

1. Concepts of Computing

2. Algorithms and Problem Solving

3. Data Structures

4. Boolean Logic

5. Programming and Software Development

6. Data and Information

7. Internet and Networks

8. Ethical and Social Impacts