APCSP Full Review Lecture Notes

Overview of APCSP

• 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

Computing Innovation

• Must include a program as part of its function (e.g., self-driving car, software).

Collaboration in Programming

• Involves diverse viewpoints and talent.
• Reduces bias by incorporating diverse opinions.
• Digital tools facilitate collaboration (e.g., Zoom calls).

Programs

• Collection of code statements for a task.
• Inputs (audio, text, visual) lead to outputs.
• Development involves adjustments, testing, and feedback.

Program Errors

• Logic Errors: Mistakes in algorithms.
• Syntax Errors: Mistakes in code writing.
• Runtime Errors: Occur during execution (e.g., array out of bounds).
• Overflow Errors: Values exceed data range.
• Debugging is possible through test cases and visualization.

Big Idea 2: Data

Data Storage

• Stored in bits (base 2 numbers).
• Bytes = 8 bits.
• Importance of context in programming.

Analog vs Digital Data

• Analog data changes smoothly (e.g., pitch, position).
• Digital data represents analog; involves abstraction.

Data Compression

• Lossless Compression: Complete restoration possible.
• Lossy Compression: Approximate restoration, reduces data size.

Analyzing Data

• Establishing trends and correlations.
• Metadata: Data about data (e.g., image time/location).
• Data cleansing for uniformity.
• Reducing bias through diverse data collection.

Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

Variables and Lists

• Variables hold values and can change.
• Lists: Collections of variables; indexes start at zero.

Strings

• Concatenation to combine strings.

Math and Boolean Expressions

• PEMDAS applied in programming.
• Boolean expressions: AND, OR, NOT.

Control Structures

• If Statements: Conditional execution of code blocks.
• Loops: Repeating tasks with conditions (for and while loops).

Lists and Iteration

• Accessing and modifying list elements.
• For loops to iterate over list elements.

Searches

• Linear Search: Sequentially checks each list element.
• Binary Search: Efficiently searches sorted lists.

Procedures

• Groups of instructions with input parameters.
• Can return or display values.
• Abstraction through procedures aids in complex solutions.

Libraries and Simulations

• Libraries simplify complex programs.
• Simulations model real-world events.

Algorithm Efficiency

• Decision and optimization problems.
• Efficiency measured by computational resources.

Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks

Internet Basics

• Computing devices run programs and connect to the internet.
• Computer networks enable data exchange.

Protocols and Data Transmission

• Internet protocols (IP, TCP, UDP) manage data.
• Fault tolerance through redundancy.

Computing Models

• Sequential vs Parallel Computing.
• Distributed computing for complex problems.

Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing

Digital Divide

• Varies by socioeconomic and geographic factors.
• Efforts to improve access and equality.

Bias and Collaboration

• Bias in programming reflects programmer bias.
• Importance of diverse perspectives.

Crowdsourcing and Legal Concerns

• Crowdsourcing leverages internet for diverse input.
• Intellectual property concerns; Creative Commons and Open Source.

Safe Computing

• PII (Personal Identifiable Information) protection.
• Authentication methods, encryption to secure data.
• Awareness of malware, phishing, and rogue access points.

Create Task for APCSP Exam

• Teacher-assigned project with coding requirements.
• Sequencing, selection, iteration are key concepts.
• Example projects: games, adventure stories.

Make sure to review and understand key concepts, especially those related to algorithms and programming, as they are integral to the multiple-choice questions and the Create Task on the APCSP exam.