AP Computer Science A Flashcards — Java Syntax, OOP, and Data Structures

Study AP Computer Science A with flashcards covering Java syntax, object-oriented programming concepts, arrays, ArrayLists, and recursion.

Must-Know AP CSA Terms and Concepts

• Encapsulation: OOP principle of bundling data (fields) and methods that operate on the data into a single class, with access controlled by modifiers (private, public, protected).
• Inheritance: OOP mechanism where a subclass extends a superclass, inheriting its fields and methods. Java: extends keyword. "Is-a" relationship. Subclasses can override methods.
• Polymorphism: The ability of different objects to respond to the same method call in different ways. Runtime polymorphism via method overriding; compile-time via method overloading.
• ArrayList vs Array: Arrays are fixed-size; ArrayLists are dynamic (resizable). ArrayList methods: add(), remove(), get(), set(), size(). Arrays: length field, direct index access.
• Recursion: A method that calls itself. Must have a base case (stops recursion) and a recursive case (moves toward base case). Stack overflow if no base case or base case never reached.
• Binary Search: O(log n) search algorithm for sorted arrays. Compare target to middle element, eliminate half the array each iteration. Requires sorted input.
• Selection Sort: O(n²) sorting algorithm. Finds the minimum element and swaps it into position. Simple but inefficient for large arrays.

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