APCSP Full Review

Overview

• APCSP is split into five Big Ideas:
  1. Creative Development
  2. Data
  3. Algorithms and Programming
  4. Computer Systems and Networks
  5. Impacts of Computing

Big Idea 1: Creative Development

Collaboration

• Computing Innovation: Must include a program as a major part of its function.
  • Examples: Physical (e.g., self-driving car) or software-based.
• Importance of Collaboration:
  • Provides diverse viewpoints and talent.
  • Helps reduce bias in programming.
  • Online tools facilitate inclusion of diverse opinions (e.g., Zoom calls).

Programs

• Collection of code statements for tasks.
• Works through inputs and outputs.
• Development involves adjustments, feedback, and identifying constraints.

Program Errors

• Logic Errors: Mistakes in algorithm logic.
• Syntax Errors: Mistakes in coding language structure.
• Runtime Errors: Errors during program execution (e.g., accessing out-of-bounds array element).
• Overflow Errors: Occur when handling numbers outside defined range.

Big Idea 2: Data

Data Representation

• Data stored in bits (base 2 numbers).
• Conversion between bases (e.g., base 10 to base 2).
• Context influences interpretation of data (e.g., same bits can mean different things).

Analog vs. Digital Data

• Analog Data: Changes smoothly over time.
• Digital Data: Represents analog data using sampling techniques.

Data Compression

• Lossless Compression: Reduces bits, allows full restoration to original.
• Lossy Compression: More reduction, only approximate restoration.

Metadata

• Data about data (e.g., time and location of an image).
• Changes to metadata do not affect the actual data.

Data Cleansing

• Ensures data uniformity without altering meaning.
• Bias reduction through diverse data sources.

Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

Variables & Expressions

• Variables hold values, assigned through expressions.
• Lists group variables; use indexes to reference values.

Boolean Expressions

• AND: Both conditions must be true.
• OR: At least one condition must be true.
• NOT: Neither condition can be true.

Control Structures

• If Statements: Conditional execution of code blocks.
• Loops: Repeat tasks (e.g., for loops, while loops).
  • For Loop: Repeats a set number of times.
  • While Loop: Repeats until a condition is false.

Searching Algorithms

• Linear Search: Checks each element sequentially.
• Binary Search: Efficient for sorted lists, divides search space in half.

Procedures and Abstraction

• Procedures: Named group of instructions, may have input parameters and return values.
• Abstraction helps simplify complex processes.

Libraries and APIs

• Libraries contain pre-built procedures.
• APIs guide the use of library procedures.

Simulations

• Abstract complex processes to simulate real-world scenarios.
• Useful to predict outcomes without actual events occurring.

Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks

The Internet

• Computing Devices: Physical artifacts like computers and routers.
• Computer Networks: Groups of connected devices.
• Routing: Process of finding paths in a network.
• Bandwidth: Max data rate, measured in bits per second.

Internet Protocols

• Protocols: Agreed rules for system behavior (e.g., IP, TCP).
• World Wide Web: Uses internet and HTTP for linked pages.

Fault Tolerance and Redundancy

• Fault tolerance supports system failures.
• Redundancy uses multiple paths for reliability.

Parallel and Distributed Computing

• Sequential Computing: One operation at a time.
• Parallel Computing: Operations run simultaneously across multiple devices.
• Distributed Computing: Uses multiple devices for large-scale problems.

Big Idea 5: Impacts of Computing

Beneficial and Harmful Effects

• Innovations can have unintended effects.
• Digital divide affects internet access across different demographics.

Bias and Crowdsourcing

• Bias can emerge at any development stage.
• Crowdsourcing gathers input from large numbers via the internet.
  • Examples: funding, citizen science.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

• Intellectual Property (IP): Material is property of the creator.
• Creative Commons: Public copyright licenses for free distribution.
• Open Source and Open Access: Promote free availability and modification.

Safe Computing

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Info that identifies individuals.
• Authentication: Protects devices from unauthorized access (e.g., strong passwords).

Security Threats

• Malware and Viruses: Harmful programs unauthorized on systems.
• Phishing: Trick users into revealing personal info.
• Rogue Access Points: Intercept data on public networks.
• Malicious Links: Disguised to install unwanted software.

Exam Preparation

Create Task

• Sequencing, Selection, Iteration: Key concepts in programming for exam tasks.
• Creativity in programming tasks (e.g., game creation).

Important Definitions for Create Task

• Sequencing: Order of execution in programming.
• Selection: Boolean expressions guiding execution.
• Iteration: Repeating code steps until conditions are met.

Summary

• Comprehensive understanding of all major topics in APCSP is crucial for both the multiple choice and create task portions of the exam.
• Familiarity with algorithms, data, computing systems, and the impact of technology is essential for success.

If there are any questions, please feel free to ask or comment.