APCSP Algorithms and Programming

Question 1

What is a variable in programming?

Accepted Answer

A named storage location for data that can change during program execution

Answer

Variables are named containers that store data values in memory, and their contents can be modified during program execution.

Question 2

What is the time complexity of binary search?

Accepted Answer

O(log n)

Answer

Binary search has O(log n) complexity because it halves the search space with each comparison, efficiently finding elements in sorted arrays.

Question 3

What is a list in Python?

Accepted Answer

An ordered, mutable collection of elements

Answer

A Python list is an ordered, mutable sequence that can hold elements of different types, defined with square brackets.

Question 4

What is a function in programming?

Accepted Answer

A reusable block of code that performs a specific task

Answer

Functions encapsulate a specific task into a reusable block of code that can be called with different inputs, promoting code reuse and organization.

Question 5

What is the difference between '==' and '=' in most programming languages?

Accepted Answer

'==' compares values; '=' assigns a value

Answer

'=' is the assignment operator (sets a variable's value), while '==' is the comparison operator (checks if two values are equal).

(APCSP) AP Computer Science Principles Practice Test