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Math and Computer ScienceComputer Science

AP Computer Science A

Develop, analyze, test, and document Java programs while learning object-oriented design, control structures, classes, data collections, algorithms, recursion, and responsible computing.

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Unit 1Using Objects and Methods15 topics

Establish Java fundamentals through algorithms, types, expressions, input and output, APIs, method calls, object creation, and string manipulation.

  1. 1.1Introduction to Algorithms, Programming, and Compilers
  2. 1.2Variables and Data Types
  3. 1.3Expressions and Output
  4. 1.4Assignment Statements and Input
  5. 1.5Casting and Range of Variables
  6. 1.6Compound Assignment Operators
  7. 1.7Application Program Interface (API) and Libraries
  8. 1.8Documentation with Comments
  9. 1.9Method Signatures
  10. 1.10Calling Class Methods
  11. 1.11Math Class
  12. 1.12Objects: Instances of Classes
  13. 1.13Object Creation and Storage (Instantiation)
  14. 1.14Calling Instance Methods
  15. 1.15String Manipulation

Unit 2Selection and Iteration12 topics

Use Boolean logic, branching, loops, nested iteration, and runtime reasoning to design and trace algorithms over values and strings.

  1. 2.1Algorithms with Selection and Repetition
  2. 2.2Boolean Expressions
  3. 2.3if Statements
  4. 2.4Nested if Statements
  5. 2.5Compound Boolean Expressions
  6. 2.6Comparing Boolean Expressions
  7. 2.7while Loops
  8. 2.8for Loops
  9. 2.9Implementing Selection and Iteration Algorithms
  10. 2.10Implementing String Algorithms
  11. 2.11Nested Iteration
  12. 2.12Informal Run-Time Analysis

Unit 3Class Creation9 topics

Design cohesive classes with encapsulated state, constructors, instance and class methods, reference parameters, scope, and self-reference.

  1. 3.1Abstraction and Program Design
  2. 3.2Impact of Program Design
  3. 3.3Anatomy of a Class
  4. 3.4Constructors
  5. 3.5Methods: How to Write Them
  6. 3.6Methods: Passing and Returning References of an Object
  7. 3.7Class Variables and Methods
  8. 3.8Scope and Access
  9. 3.9this Keyword

Unit 4Data Collections17 topics

Represent, read, traverse, search, sort, and transform data with arrays, ArrayList, text files, wrapper classes, two-dimensional arrays, and recursion.

  1. 4.1Ethical and Social Issues Around Data Collection
  2. 4.2Introduction to Using Data Sets
  3. 4.3Array Creation and Access
  4. 4.4Array Traversals
  5. 4.5Implementing Array Algorithms
  6. 4.6Using Text Files
  7. 4.7Wrapper Classes
  8. 4.8ArrayList Methods
  9. 4.9ArrayList Traversals
  10. 4.10Implementing ArrayList Algorithms
  11. 4.112D Array Creation and Access
  12. 4.122D Array Traversals
  13. 4.13Implementing 2D Array Algorithms
  14. 4.14Searching Algorithms
  15. 4.15Sorting Algorithms
  16. 4.16Recursion
  17. 4.17Recursive Searching and Sorting