APCSP Program Design and Development Flashcards

What is the benefit of using a modular design in a large program?

Answer: It breaks the program into independent procedures that are easier to test and reuse

Modular design allows each procedure to be developed, tested, and reused independently, reducing complexity in large programs.

When planning a program for the AP CSP Create Task, which step should come first?

Answer: Defining the program's purpose and what problem it will solve

Defining the program's purpose first ensures all design and coding decisions align with solving the intended problem.

What does 'abstraction' accomplish in program design?

Answer: It hides complex implementation details behind simple interfaces so developers can work at a higher level

Abstraction lets programmers use functions and APIs without needing to understand every internal detail, reducing cognitive load.

Which is an example of a 'runtime error' in a program?

Answer: Dividing a number by zero during program execution

A runtime error occurs during program execution, such as dividing by zero or accessing an index that doesn't exist.

What is the purpose of 'pseudocode' in the design phase?

Answer: To describe the algorithm logic in plain language before writing actual code

Pseudocode allows developers to plan logic clearly in plain language, making it easier to translate into any programming language.

Why should a programmer avoid hardcoding values directly into a program?

Answer: Using variables or constants makes programs easier to update and maintain

Using named variables or constants instead of hardcoded values makes it easy to update the program in one place without hunting through all the code.