AP Computer Science
Byte
8 bits. This is the standard "chunk" of binary digits and can hold values of 0-255. Ex. 01101111
Or
A Boolean operator that joins two Boolean expressions wherein only one of the expressions needs to be true for the whole thing to be true. Ex. hasGoodgrades OR hasPerffectattendance would be true even if I only had good grades.
Compound Boolean
A boolean expression that is made up of one or more Booleans, combined with AND or OR. Ex. ≥65= Senior Citizen AND ≥65=Senior Discount
And
A boolean operator that joins two Boolean expressions wherein both ecpressions must evaluate to true for the whole statement to be true. Ex. hasGoodgrades and hasPerfectattendance would be true if I had both.
Operator
A character that represents an action or procedure. Ex. In language arts a . indicates the end of the sentence.
Else If
A conditional statement that runs a different set of statements depending on whether an expression is true or false. This statement must go below the if statement's block of code and is only checked if the if statement does not evaluate to true. Ex: if age ≥65 {display "Senior Citizen" else if age ≤64 {display "non-senior Citizen"}
Pseudocode
A detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm must do, expressed in a formally-styled natural language ("normal human words") rather than in a programming language. Ex. 1) Model shows sedentary clouds. 2) If there are winds present, model moves clouds in detected direction of wind.
Selection
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Nested Loop
A loop inside the body of another loop.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
A mathematical construct, either computational or as a hardware device, that is designed to generate a random set of numbers that should not display ant distinguishable patterns in their appearance or generation, hence the word random. Some RNGs are inclusive and some are exclusive. Ex. a RNG would return me a random number between 1-100 if specified.
Variable (2)
A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.
If
A programming conditional statement that, if proved true, performs a function or displays information. Ex. if age ≥65 {display "Senior Citizen"}
Order of Operations
A set of rules specifying which procedures should be performed first in a mathematical expression. Ex. In PEMDAS, anything in parenthesis goes first in the operations.
Float
A type of variable that can hold data in the form of decimal numbers. Named because the decimal can "float" around the number to any place value. Ex: 11.0802
Int
A type of variable that can hold numeric data only in the form of whole numbers. Ex. 11, 8, 2
String
A type of variable that holds a "string" of characters. In most languages, Strings have to go inside the quotation marks. The location of each character in a string is referred to as Index, with the first character being at index 0. Ex. "Alen"
Variable (1)
A value that can be stored in a computer program, but can also be changed/updated as needed. Ex. The CP of my Pokemon in Pokemon GO.
Data Type
All values in a programming language have a "type" - such as a Number, Boolean, or String - that dictates how the computer will interpret it. For example 7+5 is interpreted differently from "7"+"5"
Nested Conditionals
An If statement as the 'then' or 'else' statement of another conditional
Boolean
An expression that evaulates to ture or false or a datatype that stores one of two values: True or False. Ex. 11=8 is false
Expression
Any valid unit of code that resolves to a value.
Hexadecimal
Base 16. This number system takes up less space because it uses 16 digits instead of 10. 0-9 are "normal", while 10 is represented by "A", 11 by "B", 12 by "C", 13 by "D", 14 by "E", 15 by "F". Ex. 6D or 4B
Binary
Base-2. A number system with two digits: 0 and 1. This is the language of computers and all programming translate to binary eventually. A "1" means an electrical signal is turned on and a "0" indicates a electrical signal is turned off. Ex. 01100001
For Loop
Executes a block of statements a certain number of times depending on the initialization expression, conditional expression, and increment expression.
While loop
Executes a block of statements while the specified condition is true.
Conditionals
Features of a programming language, which perform different computations or actions depending on whether a programmer-specific boolean condition evaluates to be true or false. Ex. if isYawning {go to bed},
Logic Gate
It is an electronic circuit having one or more than one input and only one output. Ex. Two true inputs would produce a true output.
Modeling
Making a computer program to simulate what might or did happen in a situation. Ex. A computer program that can show and identify where a storm is going.
Sequencing
Putting commands in correct order so computers can read the commands.
Iteration
Repetition
NOT
Returns the opposite of whatever a Boolean expression evaluates to. Ex. 11=8 would be true since eleven doesn't equal eight
Simulation
Running a computer program (model) to observe the outcome, often by adjusting certain parameters (variables) in it. Ex. Running the weather model and observing where the storm will go if the winds are NW.
Bit
Short for binary digit. A single "0" or "1" Ex. 1
Max
Short for maximum. Used in programming to find the largest possible number for a datatype or the smallest number in a set of data. Ex. max(1,2,3,4) would be 4
Min
Short for minimum. Used in programming to find the smallest possible number for a datatype or the smallest number in a set of data. Ex. min(1,2,3,4) would be 1
Abstraction
Simplifications that hide details and gives us the ability to talk about problems at a higher (or more abstract) level without worrying about the "little stuff" Ex. The weather model doesn't include what the phase of the moon is.
Efficiency
The "cost" of computer program or algorithm in terms of time (speed), memory space, or even money, especially compared to other programs or algorithms. Ex. Using the weather model is more efficient than going outside and waiting for what the weather is like. It saves on time, money and saves you from possible heat stroke or hypothermia.
Concatenation
The operation of joining two strings together, using the + operator. Ex. 2+2+2+74
Assingment
The process of setting a variable's value. In Python, JavaScript, Lilypad Arduino, and most other languages, an assignment is indicated by a single = sign. Ex. cost= "100"
Else
The set of statements you want to run should the if statement and all else if statements evaluate to false. Ex. else {display "YOU ARE NOT ALIVE"}
Base
The term for the number of digits in a number system. Ex. Base 5 has 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 etc...
Decrement
To decrease by one. Often followed by two - operators. Ex. apple = 5; apple --; 3 apple
Increment
To increase by one. Often indicated with a varioavle followed by two + operators. Ex. year = 2019; year++; year is now 2020
Inclusive
Usually used for random number generators in programming. Means including the endpoints of an interval. For example, "Return a random number 1 to 4, inclusive" could return and 1, 2, 3, or 4
Exclusive
Usually used for random number generators in programming. Means it does not include [excludes] the endpoints of an interval. For example, "Return a random number 1 to 4, exclusive" would return either a 2 or 3 since 1 and 4 are not included [excluded].
Heuristic
a problem solving approach (algorithm) to find a satisfactory solution where finding an optimal or exact solution is impractical or impossible.
Event-driven program
a program designed to run blocks of code or functions in response to specified events (e.g. a mouse click)
Loop
a programming construct that repeats a group of commands.
Algorithm
a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem
Event handling
an overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions.