AP CSP Exam Vocab Practice

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• algorithm

• the process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in the source code of any software

• simulation

• technique in computing that hides detail, makes more complicated ideas simpler, and collects a bunch of ideas into a single idea

• debugging

• a computational model where the program is broken into multiple smaller sequential computing operations, some of which are performed simultaneously

• abstraction

• program that runs various mathematical scenarios to determine the potential scope or impact that a particular scenario could have

• parallel computing

• the process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer

Match the following terms to their meaning.

• collaboration

• the practice of obtaining input or information from a large number of people via the Internet

• iterative

• scientific research conducted in whole or part by distributed individuals who contribute relevant data to research using their own computing devices

• machine learning

• the act of working together with others to solve problems, develop software, or complete projects

• citizen science

• a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on building systems that learn—or improve performance—based on the data they consume

• crowdsourcing

• A development process requiring refinement and revision based on feedback, testing, or reflection throughout the process

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• analog data

• how well algorithms perform with increasingly larger data sets

• scalability

• data about data that helps to structure and organize

• packet

• data having values that change smoothly, rather than in discrete intervals, over time.

• data mining

• the process of uncovering patterns and other valuable information from large data sets

• metadata

• container of data and metadata used for routing between a source and a destination on the Internet

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• argument

• a value passed to a function or procedure and received as a parameter

• boolean

• an agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system

• encryption

• a type of number used in computer programming that is used to represent real numbers with a high degree of precision

• protocol

• a value or expression that evaluates to either true or false

• floating point

• the process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• selection

• the delay time it takes for data to travel from one location to another in a network

• bandwidth

• the maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time.

• iteration

• the application of each step of an algorithm in the order in which the code statements are given

• latency

• a determination of which parts of an algorithm to execute based on a condition being true or false

• sequencing

• a repeating portion of an algorithm based on a specified number of times or until a given condition is met

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• lossy compression

• a predictive pattern that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit will double every two years with minimal rise in cost

• binary search

• algorithm that starts at the middle of a sorted data set of numbers and eliminates half of the data in each iteration

• linear search

• an algorithm that can usually reduce the number of bits stored or transmitted while guaranteeing complete reconstruction of the original data

• Moore's Law

• an algorithm that can significantly reduce the number of bits stored or transmitted but only allow reconstruction of an approximation of the original data

• lossless compression

• a simple algorithm that sequentially checks each element in a list until it finds the target value or reaches the end of the list

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• DMCA

• organization that issues digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys used in secure communications and based on a trust model

• certificate authority

• a public copyright license that enables the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted work

• Creative Commons

• the notion that the Internet is built around free and open access to information with no blocking, no throttling or paid prioritization

• net neutrality

• a standards organization for the Internet responsible for the technical standards that make up the Internet protocol suite

• IETF

• part of the U.S. copyright law that addresses the rights and obligations of owners of copyrighted material particularly on the Internet

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• denial of service

• an attempt to overload a website or network, with the aim of degrading its performance or even making it completely inaccessible

• keylogging

• a method of computer access control in which a user is only granted access after successfully presenting several separate pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism

• multifactor authentication

• the use of a program to record every keystroke made by a computer user in order to gain fraudulent access to passwords and other confidential information

• phishing

• a technique that attempts to trick a user into providing personal information.

• rogue access point

• a wireless access point that gives unauthorized access to secure networks

When we talk about "cyberspace", the (a)   is the network of online pages, images, and other files, and the ​ (b)   is the infrastructure composed of devices or nodes. The ​ (c)   obtains the address where data is to be sent, and the ​ ​ (d)   ensures accurate data delivery.

• world wide web
• internet
• internet protocol
• transmission control protocol

Match the following terms to their meanings.

• unsolvable problem

• a problem for which no algorithm can be constructed that is always capable of providing a correct yes-or-no answer

• sampling technique

• the number of steps an algorithm takes is less than or equal to a polynomial function (constant, linear, square, cube, etc.) of the size of the input

• undecidable problem

• a means of measuring values of an analog signal at regular intervals in order to store the data digitally

• heuristic

• an approach to a problem that produces a solution that is not guaranteed to be optimal but may be used when techniques that are guaranteed to always find an optimal solution are impractical

• reasonable time

• a problem that cannot be solved using an algorithm