APCSP Full Review Lecture Notes

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

Key Concepts

• Computing Innovation: Must include a program as a major part of its function; can be physical (e.g., self-driving car) or software.
• Collaboration: In programming, collaboration brings diverse viewpoints, reducing bias.
• Programs: Collection of code statements for a task, taking inputs (audio, text, visual) and producing outputs. Programs undergo development and testing processes.
• Program Errors:
  • Logic Errors: Mistakes in the algorithm.
  • Syntax Errors: Mistakes in code structure.
  • Runtime Errors: Occur during execution (e.g., accessing out-of-bounds array elements).
  • Overflow Errors: Occur when values exceed defined range.

Big Idea 2: Data

Key Concepts

• Data Storage: Computers use bits (base 2 numbers) to store data.
• Abstractions: Grouping bits can form abstractions like colors (RGB).
• Analog vs. Digital Data: Digital data can represent analog data through techniques like sampling.
• Errors:
  • Roundoff Errors: Due to limited precision.
  • Overflow Errors: Due to exceeding storage capacity.
• Data Compression:
  • Lossless Compression: Full restoration possible.
  • Lossy Compression: Only approximate restoration, more data reduction.
• Metadata: Data about data; provides additional context without altering original data.
• Data Cleaning: Ensures data uniformity for analysis, reduces bias.

Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

Key Concepts

• Variables: Hold values; important for code clarity and functionality.
• Expressions: Include math and boolean expressions to control program logic.
• Loops:
  • For Loops: Repeat a task a set number of times.
  • While Loops: Repeat until a condition is met.
• Procedures: Group of instructions, may have parameters and return values; aid in code abstraction and readability.
• Libraries and APIs: Facilitate complex programming by providing pre-built procedures.
• Simulations: Abstractions for modeling complex processes.
• Algorithmic Efficiency: Efficiency related to problem-solving and computational resources.
• Decidable vs. Undecidable Problems: Decidable problems can be solved with algorithms for all inputs; undecidable cannot.

Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks

Key Concepts

• Internet and Networking:
  • Bandwidth: Max data sent in a fixed time.
  • Protocols: Rules governing internet data (e.g., IP, TCP).
  • Fault Tolerance and Redundancy: Ensures network reliability.
• Computing Models:
  • Sequential Computing: Operations one at a time.
  • Parallel Computing: Multiple operations simultaneously.
  • Distributed Computing: Uses multiple devices for processing.

Big Idea 5: Impacts of Computing

Key Concepts

• Benefits and Harms: Innovations have both intended and unintended effects.
• Digital Divide: Varies based on socioeconomic factors, affects access to technology.
• Bias in Computing: Arises from programmer bias, reduced by diverse perspectives and collaboration.
• Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science: Utilizing large groups of people for input and data collection.
• Legal and Ethical Concerns:
  • Intellectual Property (IP): Protects creators' rights.
  • Creative Commons & Open Source: Encourage sharing and modification.

Safe Computing

Key Concepts

• Security:
  • Authentication: Protects against unauthorized access (e.g., passwords, two-step verification).
  • Encryption: Encodes data to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Malware and Phishing: Threats that seek to exploit system vulnerabilities.

Create Task Preparation

• Sequencing, Selection, and Iteration: Essential programming concepts for the create task.
• Examples: Include games or stories using any programming language.

Note: This guide summarizes the key points from an APCSP lecture covering all major topics of the course.