AP Computer Science Principles Exam Quizlet

Questions and Answers

What is the error that results when the number of bits is not enough to hold the number?

Lossless

Round-off

Lossy

Overflow (correct)

What type of error results when the number of bits is not sufficient to represent the actual number?

Lossless

Overflow

Round-off (correct)

Lossy

What does lossy compression mean?

High fidelity

Preserves all data

Data is irretrievably lost (correct)

Good compression (correct)

What does lossless compression allow?

Full recovery of the original data Signup and view all the answers

What is metadata?

Data about data Signup and view all the answers

What is sequencing in programming?

Code flows line by line Signup and view all the answers

What does selection refer to in algorithms?

A boolean condition determining the path taken Signup and view all the answers

What does iteration mean in programming?

Using a looping control structure Signup and view all the answers

What is reasonable time in terms of algorithm performance?

Polynomial in the number of steps Signup and view all the answers

What is not reasonable time in algorithmic terms?

Exponential in the number of steps Signup and view all the answers

What is a heuristic?

A rule to guide an algorithm Signup and view all the answers

What does undecidable refer to?

A problem that cannot have a definitive yes or no answer for all inputs Signup and view all the answers

What is a linear search?

Going one by one through a list Signup and view all the answers

What is a binary search?

Cutting the list in half Signup and view all the answers

What does API stand for?

Application Programming Interface Signup and view all the answers

What is citizen science?

Lots of people helping with a scientific project Signup and view all the answers

What is cloud computing?

Using distributed calculations/storage for big data Signup and view all the answers

What is crowdsourcing?

Asking many users online for help Signup and view all the answers

What is Creative Commons?

An alternative to copyright Signup and view all the answers

What is open access?

Read access to information Signup and view all the answers

What is Moore's Law?

The number of transistors on a chip doubles every two years Signup and view all the answers

What are peer-to-peer networks?

Direct connections between users' computers Signup and view all the answers

What is the digital divide?

Some communities have less access to computing Signup and view all the answers

What does ISP stand for?

Internet Service Provider Signup and view all the answers

How does internet communication arrive at its destination?

Goes from source to ISP, into the cloud, out to another ISP, and to the destination Signup and view all the answers

How can the government control speech on the internet?

By controlling the speaker, listener, or intermediaries Signup and view all the answers

How can internet posters evade conviction for defamation?

By ensuring anonymity or lack of jurisdiction Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Important Terms in Computer Science Principles

Overflow: Occurs when the number of bits is insufficient to hold a number, exemplified by a car's odometer rolling over.
Round-off: Results from limited bits causing an approximation of numbers, such as representing π as 3.14 with only three digits.
Lossy Compression: Data compression method that discards some data, making it nearly impossible to restore the original—commonly used in JPEG images.
Lossless Compression: Preserves all original data during compression, allowing full recovery, typically resulting in less compression efficiency compared to lossy methods, like PNG images.
Metadata: Descriptive data about other data, such as a camera's settings stored alongside a digital photo.

Code Structures and Algorithms

Sequencing: A coding structure where instructions are executed in order, similar to how one follows a recipe.
Selection: Utilizes boolean conditions to choose between two paths in an algorithm, often implemented with if-then statements.
Iteration: Involves looping constructs like while, for, or repeat-structures to execute code multiple times.

Algorithm Efficiency

Reasonable Time: Algorithms that operate in polynomial time based on input size in the worst case, indicating manageable growth in execution steps.
Not Reasonable Time: Characterized by exponential growth in execution steps, such as doubling steps for each additional input element.

Problem-Solving Techniques

Heuristic: A guiding principle that aids problem-solving, e.g., navigating towards the North Star when lost.
Undecidable Problems: Extremely complex problems without an algorithmic solution for all inputs, e.g., predicting if a program will halt for any given input.

Searching Algorithms

Linear Search: Sequential search method where items are checked one at a time, akin to searching for a word in a dictionary.
Binary Search: A more efficient method that requires a sorted list, repeatedly dividing the list in half to find a target value.

Internet and Computing Concepts

APIs (Application Programming Interface): Set of rules for how software applications communicate.
Citizen Science: Involves broad public participation in scientific research, like counting butterflies globally.
Cloud Computing: Leveraging distributed resources for processing or storage, often used for extensive data management or web applications.
Crowdsourcing: Gathering assistance from a large online community for tasks like funding projects or analyzing data.
Creative Commons: Licensing alternative that allows creators to specify terms for sharing and use of their work.
Open Access: Policy that provides unrestricted access to research and information.

Technological Trends

Moore's Law: Observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, leading to increased performance.
Peer-to-Peer Networks: Direct connections between individual computers over the internet, bypassing centralized intermediaries.
Digital Divide: The disparity in access to digital technologies among different communities or populations.
ISP (Internet Service Provider): A company providing access to the internet.

Online Communication and Regulation

Internet Communication Path: Data travels from source to ISP, through the cloud, onto another ISP, and finally to its destination.
Government Control of Internet Speech:
- Controlling the speaker or their ISP through laws.
- Regulating listener access to certain materials, such as illegal possession of copyrighted content in the U.S.
- Exercising control over intermediaries facilitating communication.

Legal Implications of Internet Posting

Defamation and Slander Online: Internet users can avoid conviction for slander if certain legal defenses apply, such as proving truth or lack of malicious intent.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts in AP Computer Science Principles with this Quizlet flashcard set. Learn important definitions such as 'overflow', 'round-off', and 'lossy' compression errors. Prepare effectively for your upcoming exam!