Share 2026 AP CSP Unit 1 Review
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a programmable device that stores, retrieves, and processes data; an electronic machine or device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software program
Computer
the physical parts of a computer
Hardware
part of the computer that processes data and allows the computer to "think." Sometimes referred to as a "computer chip"
Central Processing Unit
how a computer stores data
memory
short-term memory that computers use to cache temporary data that they can access quickly; data that gets constantly deleted or over-written
Random Access Memory
long-term memory that computers use to store data files or other more permanent pieces of information that a user would expect to be able to access consistently
Storage
any part of a computer that can take information from the outside world and input it into the computer (i.e. keyboard, mouse, camera)
Input
parts of a computer that can output information to the outside world (i.e. display screen, printer, speakers)
Output
set of instructions or commands that tell the computer what to do
Software
higher-level software usually specialized to do a particular task (i.e. Minecraft, Microsoft Word, banking website)
Application software
something that includes a program as an integral part of its function; it can be physical (e.g., self driving car), nonphysical computing software (e.g., picture editing software), or a nonphysical computing concept (e.g., e-commerce)
computing innovation
the ability to break a larger problem down into smaller parts
Decomposition
when you observe similarities and patterns within problems
Pattern recognition
when you identify what defines the patterns you see, focus on the important information, and derive general rules and concepts that can be applied in other areas (carving out the relevant from the irrelevant)
Abstraction
when you develop a step-by-step plan or the rules to follow to solve a problem
Algorithmic thinking
a collection of computer commands that perform a specific task when run by a computer; often referred to as software
Program
